NIH Network - Integrated Transporter Elucidation Center

In 2023, the National Institutes of Health launched the Transporter Elucidation Network (TEN) across four centers. This initiative applies experimental, computational, and translational approaches to 1) identify SoLute Carrier (SLC) superfamily and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters in the human placenta, mammary gland, as well at the pediatric brain and intestinal barriers and, 2) characterize their localization, expression, function, and regulation.

The Network seeks to identify functional determinants of transporters as gatekeepers of entry to placenta, mammary gland and brain, and applies structural biology, proteomics, metabolomics, organoids, liquid biopsies, and microphysiological systems to this end. Computational strategies, such as machine learning, virtual screening, physiologically-based pharmacokinetics, and perinatal epidemiology complement our experimental approaches.

UWTEC

PIs: Dr. Joanne Wang and Dr. Jashvant Unadkat

The broad goals of this Transporter Elucidation Center (TEC) at the University of Washington are to:

Identify and quantify transporters in the human placenta from early gestation to term, and in the developing gut (fetal and neonate/infant);
Functionally characterize and determine the cellular localization of the highly abundant transporters identified in these human organs.

UCSF TEC

PIs: Dr. Kathy Giacomini and Dr. Robert Stroud

The overall goal of the TECUCSF is to elucidate the ligand specificity, protein structure and cellular localization of SLC and ABC transporters in the human blood-brain barrier.

Based on preliminary studies from our global proteomic analyses, we will prioritize a list of 30 highly expressed and understudied/orphan SLC and ABC transporters in the human blood-brain barrier. Read more here.

MINeD

PI: Dr. Rajini Rao

The initial focus of the Minerals In Nutrition and Development (MINeD) center at Johns Hopkins University will be in the developing gut and adapting maternal intestine and breast. During pregnancy and lactation, drastic remodeling of the mammary gland enables the synthesis and secretion of milk to sustain and nourish the infant. Importantly, transcriptional data from human milk-derived epithelial cells point to a key role for metal homeostasis. A functional understanding of metal transporters and their broader role in nutrient transport during lactogenesis is critically needed. Read more here.

InTEC

PIs: Dr. Lauren Aleksunes, Dr. Dan Huh, and Dr. Hao Zhu

The Integrated Transporter Elucidation Center (InTEC) spans Rutgers University, Tulane University, University of Pennsylvania, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and University of Rochester. InTEC is a nationwide consortium to advance our understanding of how membrane transporters control the movement of nutrients, medications, supplements, and environmental chemicals between mother and baby.