RESEARCH: CANCER
FOLDING PROJECT #16964 PROFILE

This project uses computer simulations to understand how tiny proteins fold into shapes. They're looking at how chemical bonds and slight changes in the protein's code affect how it folds. The goal is to learn how to design these proteins as drugs, like 'affibody' cancer treatments.

These simulations are designed to test our understanding the folding mechanism of alpha-helical hairpins.

We are trying to study how disulfide cross-linkers and sequence variants affect the folding thermodynamics and kinetics of these proteins, to learn how we might better use molecular simulation methods to design effective protein binder scaffolds, for use as "affibody" cancer therapeutics, for example.

alpha-helical hairpins

A type of secondary protein structure characterized by a helix shape.

Alpha-helical hairpins are common structural motifs in proteins. They consist of short alpha helices connected by turns or loops, forming hairpin shapes. These structures are important for protein function and stability.

disulfide cross-linkers

Covalent bonds formed between two cysteine amino acids in a protein.

Disulfide cross-linkers are covalent bonds that form between sulfur atoms in cysteine amino acids within proteins. These bonds contribute to protein stability and folding by creating strong links between different parts of the molecule.

sequence variants

Variations in the order of nucleotides in a DNA sequence.

Sequence variants are changes in the DNA code that can result in different amino acid sequences in proteins. These variations can have diverse effects on protein function and contribute to genetic diversity.

protein binder scaffolds

Structural frameworks that bind to specific proteins.

Protein binder scaffolds are designed to bind specifically to target proteins. They can be used as tools for studying protein function or as therapeutic agents to block or modulate protein activity.

affibody

A synthetic protein based on the Z domain of protein A.

Affibody is a type of engineered protein that binds to specific targets with high affinity. It consists of a small domain derived from protein A and has applications in drug development, diagnostics, and imaging.

cancer therapeutics

Medications used to treat cancer.

Cancer therapeutics encompass a wide range of treatments aimed at combating cancer cells. These include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies.