Martina Ralle

Martina Ralle is a Professor of Molecular and Medical Genetics at Oregon Health & Science University. Her research integrates biochemistry, redox biology, and cell biology to elucidate metal homeostasis, with a focus on metalloproteins and copper-exporting P₁B-type ATPases. Recent breakthroughs include developing a first-in-class broad-spectrum inhibitor of these ATPases (PNAS, 2026) and demonstrating that ATP7B-maintained copper stores are required for neutrophil maturation (Cell Reports, 2026). Her work also explores cuproplasia-dependent vulnerabilities in cancer via activity-based copper sensing (PNAS, 2025) and the role of intestinal transporters in manganese metabolism. Ralle’s investigations into mitochondrial metallochaperone SCO1 mutations further highlight organ-specific susceptibility, advancing understanding of metal dysregulation in disease.