Robert Stroud

Robert Stroud is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he leads a research group focused on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of membrane proteins, signal transduction, and enzyme catalysis. His work integrates structural biology (X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM), biochemistry, and computational modeling to understand how proteins function at the atomic level.

His research interests center on membrane protein structure and function, particularly how signals cross membranes via transporters, channels, and the signal recognition particle (SRP). He investigates the structural basis of diseases such as neuromyelitis optica, Sanfilippo syndrome, and tuberculosis, with a focus on transporters like aquaporins, SLC proteins, and efflux pumps. His lab employs molecular cloning, mutagenesis, and strong biochemical approaches to define molecular mechanisms.

Recent publications highlight his contributions to understanding synaptic vesicle glutamate transport, aquaporin-4 autoantibody interactions in autoimmune disease, structural dynamics of mycobacterial polyketide synthase Pks13, and proton-coupled phosphate symporters. His work spans diverse systems including human disease proteins, plant ion channels, and microbial enzymes, reflecting a broad expertise in membrane biology and structural enzymology.

• Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, UCSF
• Active researcher in structural biology and membrane protein mechanisms
• Extensive publication record in top journals including Nature, Science, PNAS, and eLife
• Mentor to numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers
• Expertise in X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, and molecular dynamics simulations

Dr. Stroud has not received any explicitly mentioned scientific awards in the provided text, but his sustained high-impact research output indicates significant recognition in the field. He has secured research funding to support his laboratory’s work on membrane protein expression, purification, and structural characterization, enabling large-scale studies of medically relevant transporters and enzymes.

His lab operates at the interface of biochemistry, biophysics, and structural biology, contributing fundamental insights into how proteins mediate cellular signaling, transport, and catalysis—knowledge critical for developing new therapeutics for cancer, infectious diseases, and neurological disorders.