Spring Break
Biochemical Origami
Aggie scientists explore the world of protein folding and its significance
By: Nick Anthis
Issue date: 1/27/05 Section: Aggielife
Swanson, a senior genetics major said that predicting protein structure is difficult, and their study "blows those (prediction) methods away." She said that computer prediction methods could not have shown them the detailed change they saw in the actual Lyz structures.
When asked about the "protein-folding problem," Swanson said Lyz "probably complicates the picture... this protein is very unique."
In theory, protein folding is simple. Proteins are subject to the same physical laws as anything else. If one could understand the forces involved in protein folding, predicting the structure of new proteins should be fairly simple.
"It just turns out," Pace said, "that the physics involved in protein folding is a lot more complicated than we thought it would be."
Pace said that while most experiments have been performed on proteins in isolation, "inside the cell protein folding is a lot more complicated" because of the presence of other proteins.
Pace is optimistic, and said "we know quite a bit about the mechanism of protein folding ... There are probably at least two Nobel Prizes left for the person who can solve the protein folding problem."
When asked about the "protein-folding problem," Swanson said Lyz "probably complicates the picture... this protein is very unique."
In theory, protein folding is simple. Proteins are subject to the same physical laws as anything else. If one could understand the forces involved in protein folding, predicting the structure of new proteins should be fairly simple.
"It just turns out," Pace said, "that the physics involved in protein folding is a lot more complicated than we thought it would be."
Pace said that while most experiments have been performed on proteins in isolation, "inside the cell protein folding is a lot more complicated" because of the presence of other proteins.
Pace is optimistic, and said "we know quite a bit about the mechanism of protein folding ... There are probably at least two Nobel Prizes left for the person who can solve the protein folding problem."
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