21/09/2026
The seminar brought together researchers interested in cell signaling, structural biology, and drug discovery to explore recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling, one of the most important pathways in cellular communication and a major target for therapeutic development.
During her presentation, Dr. Chen shared findings from her laboratory on the activation of arrestins, key proteins that control and redirect GPCR signaling. Her research demonstrates that arrestin activation is governed by the interplay between receptor phosphorylation patterns and the surrounding membrane lipid environment. By combining cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) with innovative nanodisc systems, her team has revealed how distinct phosphorylation “barcodes” and membrane interactions generate different arrestin conformations and signaling outcomes.
These findings provide important insights into the structural principles underlying receptor regulation and help explain why different GPCRs engage arrestins in distinct ways. The work also highlights potential opportunities for the development of more selective therapeutic strategies targeting GPCR-mediated pathways.
Dr. Chen’s scientific career includes training at Vanderbilt University, the University of Michigan, and Purdue University, where she contributed to the determination of the first cryo-EM structure of a GPCR-kinase complex. Today, her laboratory combines structural and biophysical approaches, including cryo-EM, crystallography, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and fluorescence-based techniques, to investigate the mechanisms governing receptor signaling and regulation.
The seminar stimulated lively discussion among attendees and offered a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas on the structural basis of GPCR function and the future directions of this rapidly evolving field.
GRIB would like to thank Dr. Chen for an engaging and insightful presentation, as well as all participants for contributing to a successful scientific event.