University of Virginia-Main Campus · PhysiologyLevental Membrane Lab
Ilya Levental · Charlottesville, Virginia
Research Focus
Professor Ilya Levental's lab at the University of Virginia is focused on understanding the structure and function of cell membranes, specifically how the composition of lipids impacts cell signaling and behavior. The lab investigates the organization of proteins and lipids in T-cells, aiming to uncover how these structures influence immune responses. Overall, the research aims to shed light on how membrane organization affects cell physiology and may inform treatments for diseases related to membrane dysfunction, like cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
membrane organizationlipid compositionT-cell signalingbiophysical propertiesprotein condensates
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate the mechanisms of lipid asymmetry in mammalian membranes.
AIM 02Explore how protein condensates and membrane domains interact during T-cell activation.
AIM 03Define the structural characteristics of membrane domains in relation to protein signaling.
Skills the Lab Values
lipidomicsadvanced microscopyfluorescence spectroscopycell cultureprotein purification
Output against the department
Publications246top 22% of dept.63rd of 286
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations17ktop 17% of dept.50th of 286
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.