Biological and Theoretical Physical Chemistry
- BA, New College of Florida
- PhD, Columbia University & University of Wisconsin
- NSF Postdoctoral Fellow in Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 1993-1995. Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 1995-1997
Computationally designed protein complex containing a nonbiological cofactor, designed and studied in collaboration with the DeGrado and Therien groups in the Department of Chemistry. On the left is the computationally designed protein scaffold (magenta) and two abiotic porphyrin cofactors (yellow). On the right is a model of the computationally designed sequence and structure.
Our research interests involve theoretical chemistry, particularly as it applies to biopolymers, macromolecules, condensed phases, and disordered systems. We are developing computational methods for understanding and designing molecular sytems having many physical and chemical degrees of freedom. Molecular simulation techniques are used both to study molecular systems in detail and to test and illustrate our theories.
A current thrust of the group involves developing computational tools for understanding the properties of protein sequences consistent with a chosen three-dimensional structure. The group works closely with experimental groups at Penn and at other universities; some group members are involved in joint theoretical/experimental projects. Recent projects involve the design of soluble and membrane bound proteins, discerning the origins of conservation in naturally occurring proteins, biomolecular simulation, and the design of nonbiological folding molecules.