The Newstead group is a vibrant, dynamic team of researchers with the goal of understanding and explaining the molecular basis for SLC transporter function in health and disease.

The selective movement of molecules across cellular membranes is fundamental to life, enabling cells to exchange materials with their environment, store energy, and communicate. Membrane transport mechanisms are among the least understood areas of cell biology and present significant opportunities to advance drug design and develop new therapeutic interventions for various human diseases.

The solute carrier (SLC) superfamily of integral membrane proteins is crucial to membrane transport, acting as the primary gatekeepers for metabolite and ion exchange across all biological membranes. SLCs play a vital role in human health as the major pathways for the uptake and distribution of small-molecule drugs, such as antibiotics and antivirals (SLC15A1 & A2) and cancer and anti-inflammatory medications (SLC46A1).

More recently, SLCs have emerged as essential yet poorly understood lysosomal signaling systems when compared to better-characterized systems such as G-protein coupled receptors. Specific lysosomal SLCs can recruit cytoplasmic proteins to intracellular membranes and regulate pathways that control cell growth (SLC38A9) and inflammation (SLC15A4), often in response to changes in nutrient levels within the cell.

Research in our group is broadly split into three primary research areas, which cover the main role of SLCs in human physiology, cell biology and disease. Our goal is to discover the rules governing SLC function in the cell and human body and apply our insights into translational research and fundamental science. Please click on the images below for further detail.