Biological Physics Protein Dynamics

Selected Papers:

1. Protein states and protein quakes

2. Slaved glass transition of a protein

3. Protein dynamics and function

4. Hydration shell coupled motions of proteins I

5. Hydration shell coupled motions of proteins II

 Proteins are the machines of life. Even simple proteins are composed of a 100 or more amino acids with 1000 or more atoms, coated with a layer of water that differs from bulk water in important ways.

Beginning with seminal work of Frauenfelder and others around 1975, it was recognized proteins possessed a rugged conformational energy landscape, determined by the protein structure and environment, that turns out to be hierarchically arranged. Protein motions on this hierarchical landscape are essential for protein function.

My research, in collaboration with Hans Frauenfelder, Paul Fenimore and Ben McMahon of Los Alamos, aims to understand protein dynamics and function within the energy landscape. We have determined that significant functional motions of proteins are slaved to the bulk solvent, others are coupled to the hydration shell, while still others are independent of bulk solvent and the hydration shell. The goal is always to discover general laws applicable to biological physics.