NIMBioS Seminar Series
In conjunction with the interdisciplinary activities of the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS), a seminar series on topics in mathematical biology will be hosted at NIMBioS every other Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) in the Hallam Auditorium, Room 206, Claxton Building, 1122 Volunteer Blvd. Seminar speakers will focus on their research initiatives at the interface of mathematics and many areas of the life sciences. Light refreshments will be served in Room 205 beginning 30 minutes before each talk. Faculty and students from across the UT community are welcome to join us.
Time/Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2015, 3:30 p.m.*
Location:
Room 206, Claxton Building, 1122 Volunteer Blvd.
Speaker:
Dr. Quentin Johnson, NIMBioS postdoctoral fellow
Topic:
Utilizing computational methods to predict allosteric networks in protein complexes
Abstract:
Allostery is a fundamental control mechanism used to regulate many biological processes that range from ligand binding to transcriptional activation. In the context of proteins and protein complexes, allostery is the ability of one binding site to influence another distant site. This means that proteins can self-regulate or be regulated by other macromolecules without the need for proximity. This type of distal signaling is used as the basis for molecular switches, cellular signaling, and oxygen transport. While the importance of allostery is well appreciated, a clear understanding of the process still eludes modern science. This is chiefly due to the fact that the residual networks involved in this process are vast and complex, also the physical interactions that sustain these networks occur on an atomistic level and a picosecond timescale. Therefore, it can be quite vexing to study allostery using traditional methods. Still, the rewards far outweigh the frustrations, as an understanding of allostery can lead to the physical control of molecular switches and downstream cellular responses. Here, I discuss a novel computational approach for the detection of allostery in protein complexes by way of molecular dynamics simulation and advanced data reduction protocols.
*Join us for refreshments at 3 p.m.
Seminar Flyer (pdf)
Watch seminar online.For more information about this and other NIMBioS Seminars, visit /seminars.
NIMBioS
1122 Volunteer Blvd., Suite 106
University of Tennessee
Knoxville,
TN 37996-3410
PH: (865) 974-9334
FAX: (865) 974-9461
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