Oliver Ernst

Cell membranes are natural borders for signal transduction between cells and their environment. Different strategies to enable signals to cross the membrane barrier employ protein classes such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), ion channels, and transporters. Our research is directed at understanding transmembrane signalling by GPCRs. We investigate the inner workings of these proteins and their interaction with signalling proteins like G proteins and arrestins. Using different spectroscopic techniques (including EPR/DEER), X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM, we aim to get insight into the mechanism, specificity and structural basis of these interactions. The knowledge of how GPCRs work on a molecular level will help to understand their role in health and disease.

Courses

• BCH422 (Membrane Proteins: Structure and Function)
• BCH2024H (Topic course Membrane Proteomics in Biomedical Research)

Awards

• Konrad Adenauer Research Award (Humboldt Research Award) 2020

Cross-affiliations

• Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto