Research Coordination Network: Protein Folding and Dynamics

研究协调网络：蛋白质折叠和动力学

• 批准号: 1051344
• 负责人: C Robert Matthews
• 金额: $ 30万
• 依托单位: University of Massachusetts Medical School
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2011-01-01 至 2016-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1051344&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Research; Coordination; Network; Protein; Folding

The goal of the Protein Folding and Dynamics Research Coordination Network (RCN), which is jointly supported by Molecular Biophysics in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences in the Directorate for Biological Sciences and the Physics of Living Systems Program in the Division of Physics in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate, is to promote interactions that would transform the understanding of the mechanism by which the amino acid sequence of a protein directs its rapid and efficient folding to the native, functional conformation. To achieve this goal, a group of experienced investigators with complementary expertise in both experimental and computational/theoretical biophysics have established a consortium whose intentions are to integrate their combined efforts on the folding reactions of a select set of targets. Repeated cycles of computer simulations by theorists and experimental validation by bench scientists on a set of common targets are expected to significantly accelerate progress on the solution to the folding problem and transform the way one thinks about the relationship between the sequence, folding and structure of proteins. A solution to the protein folding problem would resolve one of the remaining fundamental challenges in biology, provide essential insights for the design of innovative industrial catalysts and substantially improve the yields of protein products in the biotechnology arena. The networking activities of the RCN will primarily flow through the frequent interactions among the members of each project team via the internet. Network activities will also include two meetings each year, one involving the core participants and the second involving members of their research groups. A dynamic and inclusive culture for the consortium will be promoted by invitations to other investigators and their students who are willing to share their complementary expertise in collaborations with core members of the project teams. These invited investigators are also expected to bring new protein targets to the consortium to expand the repertoire of motifs under study.The RCN will support a new paradigm for solving complex problems in biology. This paradigm will take the form of concerted efforts from multiple labs with complementary expertise in experimental and theoretical/computational science to solve the folding problem. It is anticipated that success in this endeavor will inspire the formation of new consortia to solve other complex problems in biology. The RCN will also recruit a new generation of scientists from a broad range of disciplines to develop new approaches towards the solution of the protein folding problem. By recasting the protein folding problem in terms of the inherent physical properties of the folding reaction, the PI expects to attract the participation of young physicists, engineers, computer scientists, chemists and others who will bring their unique skills and perspectives towards its solution. These young scientists will also benefit from participating in collaborative research efforts and, perhaps, will seek similar opportunities as they build their own careers. It is expected that success in this project will have numerous societal benefits, including the elimination of the toxic solvents and wastes emanating from many industrial processes, the design of new biodegradable materials with remarkable properties and the training of the next generation of scientists.

蛋白质折叠和动力学研究协调网络（RCN）的目标是由分子生物物理学在分子和细胞生物科学局划分的生物学科学局和生命系统局的分子和细胞生物科学局中共同支持的，而在数学和科学局中的物理学划分中，可以促进互动的互动，以促进其理解的互动，这是一种促进互动的促进，这将促进其理解的理解，以理解AMNING的理解，该机构的理解是促进的，这是一种理解的，该机构的理解是促进的，这是一种促进攻击的方法。有效折叠到天然功能构象。为了实现这一目标，一群经验丰富的研究人员在实验和计算/理论生物物理学方面具有互补的专业知识，已经建立了一个财团，其意图是将他们的合并努力整合到一组选定目标的折叠反应上。理论家对计算机模拟的重复循环以及基准科学家对一组共同目标的实验验证有望显着加速解决方案的折叠问题进展，并改变人们对蛋白质序列，折叠和结构之间关系的思考方式。解决蛋白质折叠问题的解决方案将解决生物学中其余的基本挑战之一，为设计创新的工业催化剂设计提供基本见解，并在生物技术领域实质上提高了蛋白质产品的产量。 RCN的网络活动将主要通过Internet进行每个项目团队成员之间的频繁交互。网络活动还将包括每年的两次会议，一次涉及核心参与者，第二个涉及研究小组的成员。邀请其他调查员及其学生愿意在与项目团队的核心成员合作中分享互补的专业知识的其他调查员及其学生的邀请将促进一种动态和包容性的文化。预计这些受邀研究人员还将将新的蛋白质靶标带到财团扩大研究的基序曲目。RCN将支持一种新的范式来解决生物学中的复杂问题。该范式将采取多个实验室的共同努力的形式，这些实验室在实验和理论/计算科学方面具有互补的专业知识，以解决折叠问题。可以预料，这项工作的成功将激发新的财团的形成，以解决生物学中其他复杂问题。 RCN还将从广泛的学科中招募新一代的科学家，以开发新的方法来解决蛋白质折叠问题。通过根据折叠反应的固有物理特性重新塑造蛋白质折叠问题，PI希望吸引年轻的物理学家，工程师，计算机科学家，化学家和其他将向其解决方案带来独特技能和观点的参与。这些年轻的科学家还将受益于参与协作研究工作，也许在建立自己的职业时会寻求类似的机会。预计该项目的成功将具有许多社会利益，包括消除许多工业过程中发出的有毒溶剂和废物，设计具有显着特性的新型可生物降解材料以及对下一代科学家的培训。