The Nissen group investigates the structure and molecular mechanisms of membrane transport processes, receptors, and biomembrane ultrastructure. Activities are mainly focused on using cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM), protein crystallography, biochemistry, electrophysiology, and include also small-angle X-ray scattering and cryo-electron tomography.
A major topic of research interest is membrane transporters and receptors involved with neurological and psychiatric disorders, e.g. P-type ATPase that include ion pumps and lipid flippases, but also sodium-dependent amino acid, neurotransmitter transporters, and insulin receptor signaling are studied, as well as supramolecular structures of neuronal membranes addressing cooperative networks governing e.g. action potentials and synaptic functions. Studies also include structure-based drug discovery and protein engineering.
Our investigations link also to translational studies of neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with perturbed ion transport or metabolic control.
Methods development, integrative structural biology, and bioimaging are also of great interest to the group.
Research Areas: Membrane proteins, Membrane transport and signaling, single-particle Cryo-EM, Cryo-Electron Tomography, Crystallography, Biochemistry, Drug discover
The Nissen group currently has projects available for master and project students.
See current research projects in the laboratory here (link opens pdf)
See overview of current study opportunities in the laboratory (link opens new page)
Please contact Charlott Stock (cs@mbg.au.dk), if you have interest in a student project in our research group.
