In this episode, we talk with Gašper Šolinc from the Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology at the National Institute of Chemistry about how lipids play a surprising role in the structure and function of protein nanopores.

We explore his team’s recent Nature Communications study on the Fav protein, showing how this coral-derived nanopore interacts with over 100 lipids, including cholesterol, to stabilize its structure. These findings highlight the critical, often overlooked role of lipids in membrane protein assemblies.

From cryo-EM insights to future applications in biosensing, this conversation bridges molecular biology, nanotechnology, and synthetic bioengineering.

🔬 Read the study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-58334-z

📄 Read more about the work of the Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology.: https://www.ki.si/en/departments/d11-department-of-molecular-biology-and-nanobiotechnology/

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In the Papers Illuminated - Člankarnica podcast, together with researchers from the National Institute of Chemistry, we present interesting and accessible explanations of their latest discoveries, published in prestigious scientific journals. We invite you to follow us on social media and send us your questions, comments, and suggestions.

https://www.ki.si/o-institutu/podkast/clankarnica/