Unlocking the Secrets of Membrane Fusion: Insights from UT Southwestern's Supercomputer Simulation

UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers conducted a sophisticated simulation utilizing one of the world's most powerful supercomputers, shedding new light on the mechanism by which SNARE proteins facilitate the fusion of biological membranes. Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, their findings challenge conventional understanding and propose a novel mechanism underlying this fundamental process. Led by study leader Jose Rizo-Rey, Ph.D., Professor of Biophysics, Biochemistry, and Pharmacology, the research reveals that membranes brought into contact typically do not fuse, contrary to previous assumptions. This groundbreaking insight not only deepens our understanding of membrane fusion but also holds promise for the development of innovative treatments for conditions associated with aberrant membrane fusion.