Weers Lab
Paul Weers' research group is focused on the understanding of the structure-function relationship of exchangeable apolipoproteins, which are critical proteins responsible for the transport of lipids. They use a combination of protein biochemistry, molecular biology and biophysics to address questions related to the ability of the protein to interact with hydrophobic materials. Invertebrate apolipophorin III, for which high resolution structures are available, is used as a model to investigate apolipoprotein-lipid interactions at the molecular level. The group also studies the role of apolipoproteins in innate immunity, e.g. their ability to neutralize lipopolysaccharides, the toxic membrane components of Gram negative bacteria and responsible for sepsis.