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SUMMARY:Building proteins de novo: better\, faster\, fitter - Dek Woolfson
 \, University of Bristol
DTSTART:20140327T161500Z
DTEND:20140327T180000Z
UID:TALK47538@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Scientific Meetings Co-ordinator
DESCRIPTION:The rational or de novo design of proteins is challenging for 
 a variety of reasons\, primarily because we do not fully understand the re
 lationships between protein sequence and structure.  However\, we must add
 ress this if we are to solve the protein-folding problem\, and engineer na
 tural or designed proteins with confidence.  In addition\, exploring ratio
 nal protein design could uncover hitherto unseen protein structures\, and 
 develop functions beyond those offered by natural proteins.  In turn\, suc
 h new structures and functions\, as well as the knowledge gained to achiev
 e them\, should find applications in protein engineering\, bionanotechnolo
 gy and synthetic biology.\n\nMy group takes a modular\, synthetic-biology 
 approach to protein design.  First\, we define small protein modules\, mak
 e them via peptide and gene synthesis\, and characterise them in detail\, 
 including by X-ray crystallography.  Then\, we use the modules as a toolki
 t to help design and generate more-complex structures\, including: barrel-
 like complexes\, which we are exploring as a basis for enzyme and ion-chan
 nel design\; and supramolecular assemblies\, such as nanocages and fibrous
  biomaterials\, which have potential applications in cell biology and rege
 nerative medicine.
LOCATION:Max Perutz Lecture Theatre\, Medical Research Council (MRC) (MRC 
 Laboratory of Molecular Biol
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