RESEARCH: CANCER
FOLDING PROJECT #16989 PROFILE

This project relates to understanding how proteins fold into specific shapes. By changing the protein's building blocks and adding special links, scientists want to see how this affects its stability and ability to bind to other molecules. This knowledge could help design better cancer treatments that target specific cells.

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

Structural motif in proteins with alpha helix coils.

Alpha-helical hairpins are a common structural feature in proteins. They consist of two alpha helices connected by a short loop. These structures play important roles in protein folding and function.

disulfide cross-linkers

Covalent bonds between cysteine amino acids in proteins.

Disulfide cross-linkers are covalent bonds that form between two sulfur atoms in cysteine amino acids. These bonds stabilize protein structures and can influence protein folding and function.

sequence variants

Variations in the DNA sequence of a gene.

Sequence variants are alterations in the DNA sequence of a gene. These variations can lead to changes in protein structure and function, and can be associated with disease or altered traits.

folding thermodynamics

Study of energy changes in protein folding.

Folding thermodynamics investigates the energy changes associated with the process of protein folding. This field helps understand how proteins adopt their stable three-dimensional structures and the factors that influence this process.

kinetics

Rate of chemical reactions.

Kinetics studies the rates and mechanisms of chemical reactions. In the context of protein folding, kinetics investigates how fast proteins fold and the steps involved in this process.

molecular simulation methods

Computer-based techniques to model molecular behavior.

Molecular simulation methods use computer algorithms to simulate the behavior of molecules and their interactions. These techniques are widely used in biotechnology to study protein folding, drug design, and other biological processes.

affibody

Affibody is a proprietary engineered protein scaffold

An affibody is a small, engineered protein scaffold that binds specifically to target molecules. These scaffolds are often used in drug development as they can be designed to deliver drugs to specific cells or tissues.

cancer therapeutics

Medicines used to treat cancer.

Cancer therapeutics are medications used to treat various types of cancer. These treatments aim to kill cancer cells or slow their growth.