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Structure and Function of Biological Membranes (SFMB)

Faculty of Sciences | Chemistry

(Code: ULB167)


Person in charges of the unit : GOORMAGHTIGH Erik, HOMBLE Fabrice.

The laboratory is dedicated to advancing to a better understanding of the structure, function, and role of biological membranes in cells and cellular
organelles.  We put a special emphasis on the study of the structure and function of membrane molecules (lipids and proteins) and on the investigation of the
mechanism by which these molecules control membrane permeability and cellular functions. We provide a multidisciplinary training and research environment
including cell biology, physiology, biochemistry, proteomics, cell and molecular spectroscopy, biophysics and structural bioinformatics. As membrane component
s are the targets for most pharmaceutical compounds, our studies include hot topics such as cancer diagnostic and treatment, cholesterol and lipid
transport, Alzheimer's disease, cell transfection, heavy metals detoxification. Our group has contributed to the development of methodologies that allow the
investigation of the structure-activity relationship of membrane proteins at a molecular scale in a well-defined environment. One of our main purpose is to
stimulate and coordinate high-level graduate education in membrane biology, and foster career development of membrane scientists in an environment of research
excellence. The laboratory develops Basic and Applied Research projects. Our laboratory belongs to the ''Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Center'' at
the University of Brussels, and is member of the ''Structure and Function of Biological Macromolecules, Bioinformatics and Modelling'' graduate college.
Our laboratory is also part of several European (Early Stage Training (EST)'' networks.

Campus : Campus de la Plaine
Location : bâtiment BC, niveau 4, aile C
Address : CP206/02 Bruxelles
Phone number : +32-2-650.53.86/53.62
Fax : +32-2-650.53.82
E-mail : egoor@ulb.be
Web site : http://sfmb.ulb.be


Disciplines CRef :


 • Biochemistry

 • Biophysics

 • Cell biology

 • Graphostatics

 • Lipids, steroids, membranes

 • Macromolecular chemistry

 • Surface and interface chemistry