Grant: Collaborative Research and Training Experience

The goal of the NSERC CREATE International Research Training Group (IRTG) in Membrane Biology is to train a cohort of graduate students who can excel at research on membrane proteins from diverse organisms. This training program targets the NSERC Priority area of Health and Related Life Sciences and technologies. By exposing our trainees to internationally-competitive cutting edge research during their formative training years, they will develop an international perspective and the attitude required for top research. Membrane proteins have a central place in life. They reside in cellular membranes and regulate the flow of molecules and information moving into and out of cells. Indeed, solving many of humanity's current problems requires the ability to understand and manipulate membrane proteins: The majority of drugs directly target membrane proteins, for example G-protein coupled receptors. In plants membrane proteins control uptake of nutrients and secretion of plant products. The ability of agricultural plants to survive in saline soil is controlled by membrane proteins. The techniques needed to study membrane protein function are challenging and function distinctly from soluble proteins. The challenges in studying membrane proteins thus require an elaborate set of research techniques and a collaborative, supportive research environment. The Canadian component of this IRTG is made of the University of Alberta's Membrane Protein Research Group, whose excellence is recognized in the University's Strategic Plan. With our partners in Germany's Technical University Kaiserslautern and Saarland University we have increased our research interactions since 2008. Together we have developed an IRTG that includes: six months of research at the partner institution, training in the techniques required to study membrane proteins, industrial visits, organized research ethics training, management training, and training in oral and written science communication. The IRTG in Membrane Biology will support three years of training and six months of research in Germany for 16 graduate students and 3 postdoctoral fellows. In addition, 19 other trainees will be enrolled in the training program, their stipends supported by external sources.