Professor of Biochemistry

Research Interests

Membrane proteins serve a number of very important functions in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. They are built according to structural principles different from those of globular proteins. A full understanding of membrane proteins requires a conceptual framework where processes of protein translocation across membranes and the physical chemistry of lipid-protein interactions play major roles.

We have a long-standing interest in problems related to membrane protein assembly and structure. Work in our lab has pointed to the central importance of positively charged amino acids as determinants of membrane protein topology, has led to the development of new theoretical methods for predicting transmembrane segments, and has illuminated many aspects of membrane protein assembly in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Ongoing theoretical and experimental work is directed towards both the topology and 3D structure of membrane proteins.

Research Description/Selected Publications

Mailing address:
Gunnar von Heijne
Stockholm Bioinformatics Center, SCFAB
Stockholm University
SE-10691 Stockholm

E-mail: gunnar@dbb.su.se
Phone: +46 8 16 2590
Fax: +46 8 15 3679