Innovative Mechanisms and Emerging Technologies in Membrane Pores, Channels, and Transporters

Integral membrane proteins, including pores, channels, and transporters, are fundamental to the orchestrated exchange of ions and diverse molecules between cells and their environments. These sophisticated molecular systems govern essential processes, from cellular communication to metabolic regulation, yet much remains to be understood about the mechanisms that dictate their selectivity, dynamics, and regulation within biological membranes.

This Research Topic welcomes original research and comprehensive review articles that spotlight novel mechanisms and technological advancements in the exploration of membrane pores, channels, and transporters. Contributions that leverage emerging methodologies, such as next-generation biophysical techniques and advanced computational simulations, to uncover structural and functional nuances at molecular and atomic scales are encouraged. Studies employing innovative spectroscopy, high-resolution imaging, or single-molecule approaches are particularly welcomed, as are those investigating how these proteins operate within complex biological or synthetic systems.

Key areas of interest include but are not limited to:

- Development and application of state-of-the-art biophysical tools for membrane protein analysis
- Computational and systems biology methods that reveal dynamic behaviors and inter- or intra-molecular interactions
- New findings on the gating, selectivity, conductance, and modulation of membrane transport systems
- Insights into physiological, pathological, and pharmacological roles of pores, channels, and transporters
- Cross-disciplinary research bridging experimental and theoretical perspectives to advance membrane protein science

The Research Topic also highlights studies that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals—promoting health and well-being (SDG 3), fostering innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), and advancing global partnerships (SDG 17).

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: membrane proteins, ion channels, transporters, pore mechanisms, emerging technologies

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.