Elucidating the interactions and transport mechanism of the human chloride/bicarbonate anion exchanger 1

Anion Exchanger 1 (AE1, Band 3, SLC4A1) is responsible for the rapid exchange of bicarbonate and chloride across the red blood cell plasma membrane, a process necessary for efficient respiration. Mutations in AE1 lead to inherited diseases such as Southeast Asian Ovalocytosis (SAO), hereditary spherocytosis and distal renal tubular acidosis. Understanding how AE1 works at the molecular level and how mutations affect its ability to function is critical in order to inform efforts to develop therapies and drugs for these inherited diseases. In this project the student will use a multidisciplinary approach that combines computer simulations and lab-based biophysical techniques to study: i) the transport mechanism of AE1, ii) how different lipids in the membrane regulate AE1 transport, and iii) the molecular basis of AE1 tetramer formation. This new knowledge will fill an important gap in our understanding of the molecular details of AE1 transport and its organisation and dynamics in the red blood cell membrane. This position would suit a student interested in interdisciplinary science with a biochemistry, chemistry or physics background, or a combination of these.