Stochastic & Multiscale Modeling and Computation Seminar by Ao Ma: Protein Dynamics, Reaction Coordinates, and Energy Flows

Speaker:

Ao Ma, Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Chicago

Title:

Protein Dynamics, Reaction Coordinates, and Energy Flows

Abstract:

Understanding the mechanism of protein functions is of paramount importance. The central dogma of protein science is that structure determines function. The critical link between the structure of a protein and its function is the functional dynamics that carry out the functions. Structure determines function by enabling the specific functional dynamics required for the specific function. Understanding protein function requires understanding the mechanism of functional dynamics. A critical step towards this goal is to identify the reaction coordinates—the small number of essential coordinates that fully determine the course of progression of a functional dynamics. In this talk, I will discuss our work on using energy flow theory to identify reaction coordinates and understanding mechanism of functional protein dynamics. Two examples will be discussed: 1) a prototype of biomolecular isomerization process, 2) energy transduction and structural dynamics of myoglobin after photolysis.

Contact:

Jan-Eric Sulzbach (jsulzbach@hawk.iit.edu)

 

Stochastic & Multiscale Modeling and Computation