Overview
Crystallographic Studies of Membrane Transporters
Transport of molecules across biological membranes is a crucial process essential for the livelihood of every cell. Small molecules and ions need to enter and exit cells and sub-cellular compartments where they are utilized as energy sources, used as building materials for essential cellular molecules or serve as signaling agents. Synaptic transmission is only possible because of the rounds of release and uptake of neurotransmitters. Communication between cells in an organism is mediated by release of signaling molecules, whose concentration is controlled in the intercellular space by regulated uptake. All these processes depend on the successful crossing of the polar, often charged molecules across the hydrophobic barriers of lipid membranes. Numerous membrane transporters have evolved, which utilize either ATP or energy stored in the form of ion gradients to drive transport of their substrates across membranes. The later class, so-called secondary transporters, is the focus of study in our lab. We are relying on combination of X-ray crystallography and biochemistry to understand the structure of these transporters and the molecular mechanism of substrate transport. Recently, new methodologies have been developed to facilitate structural studies of membrane proteins and we will use these advances as well as develop new approaches. Crystallography of membrane proteins is an area of research, which is only now starting to enjoy an accelerated development and as a result every new structure reveals novel folds and molecular designs. In addition, every structure generates new avenues for drug discovery both because membrane transporters may serve as access points for drugs to the intracellular spaces and because transporters themselves serve as important drug targets.
Dr. Boudker is a faculty member in the Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology.
Highlights
- 1Journal of the American Chemical Society · 2023
- 2Nature chemical biology · 2020
- 3
Publications
Funding
Active
4 grants- Sub-PIR01NS111767-06A1The mechanism of allosteric modulation of glutamate transportersNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2019–2031 · via Drexel University· 2 renewals
- MPIT32GM132081-06Molecular Biophysics Training ProgramNational Institute of General Medical Sciences · 2020–2030Training· 2 renewals
- PIHT9425-25-1-0762Investigating the Biological Mechanisms and Therapeutic Relevance of the SLC1A1 Amino Acid Transporter in Kidney CancerU.S. Department of Defense · 2025–2029
- PIR37NS134865-03Ion coupling, permeation, and regulation in glutamate transportersNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2024–2027
Completed grants (7)
- Co-IR01NS110790-01A1Functional dynamics of glutamate transporters probed by high-speed atomic force microscopy with micro- to millisecond time resolutionNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2019–2025
- PIR37NS085318-07The structural dynamics of a glutamate transporter homologueNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2014–2022· 2 renewals
- Sub-PIUS 194717-01The spilt personality of glutamate transporters: the structural basis and physiological role of a dual function transporter/channelNational Health and Medical Research Council · 2019–2021 · via University of Sydney
- PIR01NS064357-10Conformational Ensemble of Glutamate Transporters: Structure and Ionic ModulationNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2009–2021· 2 renewals
- MPIU54GM087519-03Conformational Dynamics of a Glutamate Transporter Homologue - Pilot Project 2National Institute of General Medical Sciences · 2012–2013 · via University of Chicago
- PIR21NS065405-02Crystallographic studies of equilibrative nucleoside transportersNINDS · 2009–2011 · via NIH RePORTER
Honors & distinctions
- Member · National Academy of Sciences · 2022
- Investigator · Howard Hughes Medical Institute · 2015
- Fellow · American Academy of Arts and Sciences
News mentions
- Dr. Olga Boudker Elected to American Academy of Arts and SciencesApril 28, 2026
Dr. Boudker was among four Cornell faculty members to be elected into the academy this year.
- Study Identifies Unexpected Effect of Fatty Acids on Neurotransmitter TransportDecember 12, 2024
A new study by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators has found that free fatty acids, including an omega-3 fatty acid called DHA, can reduce the amount of glutamate uptake by diminishing the sodium ion gradient that powers the transporters.
- Elusive Cell Membrane Transporter Gives Up Key SecretsFebruary 15, 2024
The molecular workings of a family of important but hard-to-study proteins called CLCs have been illuminated as never before in a study led by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine.
- Dr. Olga Boudker Elected to the National Academy of SciencesMay 5, 2022
Election to the National Academy of Sciences is one of the highest honors a scientist can receive.
Mentoring
PhD · 5
- EFEva Fortea VerdejoPhysiology, Biophysics & Systems Biology (PhD) · Class of 2021
- HCHatice CiftciTri-I Program in Chemical Biology (PhD) · Class of 2021
- NANurunisa AkyuzPhysiology, Biophysics & Systems Biology (PhD) · Class of 2015
- AEAlexander EarsleyBiochemistry & Structural Biology (PhD)
- VGVishnu GhaniPhysiology, Biophysics & Systems Biology (PhD)
Postdoc · 5
- FMFlorencia Madorsky RowdoPostdoc mentee · 2021–2025
- FRFrancisco Requena SanchezPostdoc mentee · 2023–2024