introduction | folding in the cell | co-translational | autotransporters | scaffolds

We use the techniques of biochemistry, biophysics, computational analysis, and molecular biology to study protein folding. Why do we study protein folding? Because while proteins are synthesized as long linear polymers, they quickly fold into intricate 3D shapes with elaborate, repeating structural elements. The correct 3D structure of a protein is specified by the chemical composition of its polymer sequence, but it is unclear how a specific sequence defines a specific structure. Even more perplexing is how proteins fold efficiently in cells, where the temperature and protein concentrations are much higher than in the test tube. More information on protein folding, and research projects in our lab, is available at our official department page.