Research group David Drew's research group

The Drew group investigates the alternating-access mechanism of solute transporters for sugars and ions. These transporters are critical to cell homeostasis and their dysfunction is associated with human diseases, such as cancer and diabetes.


Structure and mechanism of solute carrier transporters

Solute carrier transporters (SLCs) transporters are the targets for many therapeutics and they often play a major role in drug pharmacokinetics. Understanding the mechanisms by which SLC transporters shuttle and move ions, drugs, and natural compounds across membranes is of fundamental importance. Because of the technical difficulties in working with membrane proteins our mechanistic understanding is very limited. The goal of my research is to investigate the alternating-access mechanism of solute transporters for sugars and ions, which are critical to cell homeostasis and their dysfunction is associated with human diseases, such as cancer and diabetes. To achieve this we combine crystal and cryo EM structures with biochemical and biophysical techniques. These goals are facilitated by the development of novel methods to aid functional and structural investigation of SLC transporters.

Popular descriptions of our work on transporters 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwW86e3tFv4

https://www.svd.se/genombrott-kan-leda-till-ny-malariamedicin

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00148-8

This research group has no members.

There are no research project connections.

From basic science to breakthrough solutions for diabetes

Diabetes is one of the fastest-growing diseases in the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of people living with the condition has quadrupled globally since the 1980s. Several major research projects at Stockholm University are exploring fundamental factors that may help prevent or even reverse diabetes, including approaches that aim to activate the body’s own immune system.

Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics

Swedish Research Council Awards Seven Grants to DBB Researchers

The Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet) has awarded research grants to seven researchers at the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics (DBB). Vetenskapsrådet funds awards for both newly established researchers, and for established researchers to undertake studies in a wide range of areas.

Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics

Scientists reveal how energy is delivered into the cells major “shipping port”

A team of scientists has answered a long-standing question in cell biology, uncovering how the cell’s main energy currency, ATP, is transported into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Disrupted energy transport could affect diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. The study, published in Nature, confirms that the transporter protein SLC35B1 is the key gateway for ATP entry into the ER.

Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics

David Drew lab moves to SciLifeLab

At the start of June, the David Drew lab group from the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics relocated from the Frescati Campus to SciLifeLab at Campus Solna.

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