Qing R. Fan, Ph.D.

Research

Our laboratory studies the molecular mechanisms by which G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) transmit signals across biological membranes. GPCRs represent the superfamily of transmembrane receptors that signal through heterotrimeric G-proteins. GPCRs recognize a diverse array of ligands, and are the targets for 50-60% of clinical drugs. We combine x-ray crystallography with various biochemical techniques to study these receptors with two general goals: (1) to determine the specificity of receptor-ligand interactions, and (2) to identify receptor activation mechanisms.