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The plasma membrane was traditionally considered a passive barrier, the background in which transmembrane proteins are embedded. However, growing evidence indicates that the lipid components of the membrane actively contribute to regulating the function of these proteins, including ion channels. The molecular mechanisms by which lipid modulation occurs and whether this can be exploited to tailor ion channel function has yet to be fully explored.

We aim to simulations and collaborative experiments to answer questions such as - Can we predict the binding sites of key lipid species, such as phosophoinositides/PIPs? Do the lipids interact with channels via their acyl tails or headgroups? How do lipids influence the activity of force-sensing proteins, such as OSCA/TMEM63 and Piezo? Are there potential therapeutic applications of lipid-mimicking molecules to treat ion channel-related diseases?