- Misfolded membrane proteins in cells are implicated in many diseases including cystic fibrosis, diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
- Dr Grant Pellowe will lead fundamental research to understand the rules of how membrane proteins fold correctly
- Eventually the research could lead to new ways to correct misfolding as the proteins are made in the body
Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence (AIME) has won a £438,674 Research Project Grant from the Leverhulme Trust to carry out fundamental research into how membrane proteins fold correctly.
The proteins that make up the body are made at membranes in cells in long chains of individual building blocks, called amino acids, which then must fold into the correct 3D fatty membrane shape. The folded membrane protein travels to another membrane to carry out a specific task, for example, transporting water or a particular ion, across the cell membrane or communication. However, when the protein misfolds, it cannot interact with other proteins, molecules and membranes correctly, and so cannot carry out its task, leading to serious problems for the cell. These misfolded, malfunctioning proteins are a cause of many diseases including cystic fibrosis, diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
How these protein chains fold into their shape is not well understood, and the key players and mechanisms driving this process remain unclear. AIME’s Dr Grant Pellowe will lead research to examine each step proteins go through as they fold, and how the genetic sequences and the cellular environment influence this process.
To do so, Dr Pellowe and his team will isolate membrane proteins during the folding process and analyse each of these intermediates using advanced experimental techniques, including mass spectrometry and structural spectroscopy. At each step, they will examine how the membrane proteins interact with chaperones (specific proteins that assist in the folding of other proteins) and membrane lipids.
Dr Pellowe explains that the research aims to determine whether proper protein folding is inherently encoded within the amino acid sequence itself, and to what extent and how external factors, such as chaperone proteins and the surrounding membrane or lipid environment, also influence the folding process.
Armed with this knowledge, researchers in the future will be able to address misfolded proteins as they are being made to mitigate and treat disease. They could also potentially design or alter proteins to get more protein material for industrial processes such as drug testing.
Dr Pellowe said:
“This area of research holds particular significance for the academic community, as it addresses a critical gap in molecular and cellular biology. Around 15 to 25% of disease-causing mutations are thought to result from protein misfolding. To advance both basic science and therapeutic development, we must first understand how folding normally occurs within cells. This foundational knowledge will allow researchers to uncover how misfolding contributes to disease and to design new strategies that target the specific stages where folding goes wrong.”
The Leverhulme Trust is an independent charity that seeks to fund blue skies research and scholarship which has the potential to generate new ideas and research breakthroughs that benefit society. It awards Research Project Grants for researchers based at universities or institutions of higher education, to undertake an innovative and original research project.
- Notes to editors
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About the Leverhulme Trust
The Leverhulme Trust is an independent charity that seeks to fund ambitious blue skies research and scholarship, which has the potential to generate new ideas and research breakthroughs that benefit society. The Trust also aims to support a diverse range of scholars in their educational endeavours. It focuses its efforts mainly in the UK, which has a world-class higher education research sector. Since its foundation in 1925, the Trust has provided grants and scholarships for research and education, funding research projects, fellowships, studentships, bursaries and prizes; it operates across all academic disciplines to support talented individuals as they realise their vision in research and professional training. Today, it is one of the largest all-subject providers of research funding in the UK, distributing approximately £120 million a year. www.leverhulme.ac.uk
About Aston University
For over 130 years, Aston University has been making our world a better place through education, research and innovation. Our history is intertwined with the remarkable city of Birmingham, once the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and now the thriving base for an innovation ecosystem of global significance, which Aston is co-creating.
Our vision is to be a leading university for science, technology and enterprise, measured by the positive transformational impact we achieve for our people, students, businesses and the communities we serve.
Aston focuses on high-quality, exploitable research that has an impact on society through medical breakthroughs, advancements in engineering, policy and practice in government, and the strategies and performance of business.
The University offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, as well as continuing professional development solutions.
Thanks to its focus on delivering excellent outcomes for students, Aston University's reputation continues to grow. It was recognised as the Daily Mail University of the Year for Student Success 2025, is second in England for social mobility (2023 HEPI Social Mobility Index), and is top 20 for graduate salaries (2024 Longitudinal Education Outcomes).
Aston University is now defining its place in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Helen Tunnicliffe, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44) 7827 090240 or email: h.tunnicliffe@aston.ac.uk.
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