Dynamics and the Problem of Recognition in Biological Macromolecules

Dynamics and the Problem of Recognition in Biological Macromolecules
Author: Oleg Jardetzky
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 308
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1461558395

From within complex structures of organisms and cells down to the molecular level, biological processes all involve movement. Muscular fibers slide on each other to activate the muscle, as polymerases do along nucleic acids for replicating and transcribing the genetic material. Cells move and organize themselves into organs by recognizing each other through macromolecular surface-specific interactions. These recognition processes involve the mu tual adaptation of structures that rely on their flexibility. All sorts of conformational changes occur in proteins involved in through-membrane signal transmission, showing another aspect of the flexibility of these macromolecules. The movement and flexibility are inscribed in the polymeric nature of essential biological macromolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids. For instance, the well-defined structures formed by the long protein chain are held together by weak noncovalent interac tions that design a complex potential well in which the protein floats, permanently fluctuating between several micro- or macroconformations in a wide range of frequencies and ampli tudes. The inherent mobility of biomolecular edifices may be crucial to the adaptation of their structures to particular functions. Progress in methods for investigating macromolecular structures and dynamics make this hypothesis not only attractive but more and more testable.

Dynamics, Structure, and Function of Biological Macromolecules

Dynamics, Structure, and Function of Biological Macromolecules
Author: Oleg Jardetzky
Publisher: IOS Press
Total Pages: 212
Release: 2001
Genre: Biomolecules
ISBN: 9781586030322

A collection of articles looking at modern structural biology, summarizing the applications of physical methods - such as x-ray diffraction, high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance and molecular dynamics - to the study of protein structure and dynamics. There is a review of contemporary thoughts within the field, looking at the mechanisms of alloateric transitions and allosteric control, the transmission of information within protein structures and the role of dynamics in determining the specificity of protein - ligand interactions. There is also a look at future innovations.

Essentials of Chemical Biology

Essentials of Chemical Biology
Author: Andrew D. Miller
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 620
Release: 2013-05-03
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1118687833

"This excellent work fills the need for an upper-level graduate course resource that examines the latest biochemical, biophysical, and molecular biological methods for analyzing the structures and physical properties of biomolecules... This reviewer showed [the book] to several of his senior graduate students, and they unanimously gave the book rave reviews. Summing Up: Highly recommended..." CHOICE Chemical biology is a rapidly developing branch of chemistry, which sets out to understand the way biology works at the molecular level. Fundamental to chemical biology is a detailed understanding of the syntheses, structures and behaviours of biological macromolecules and macromolecular lipid assemblies that together represent the primary constituents of all cells and all organisms. The subject area of chemical biology bridges many different disciplines and is fast becoming an integral part of academic and commercial research. This textbook is designed specifically as a key teaching resource for chemical biology that is intended to build on foundations lain down by introductory physical and organic chemistry courses. This book is an invaluable text for advanced undergraduates taking biological, bioorganic, organic and structural chemistry courses. It is also of interest to biochemists and molecular biologists, as well as professionals within the medical and pharmaceutical industry. Key Features: A comprehensive introduction to this dynamic area of chemistry, which will equip chemists for the task of understanding and studying the underlying principles behind the functioning of biological macro molecules, macromolecular lipid assemblies and cells. Covers many basic concepts and ideas associated with the study of the interface between chemistry and biology. Includes pedagogical features such as: key examples, glossary of equations, further reading and links to websites. Clearly written and richly illustrated in full colour.

NMR Spectroscopy of Biological Solids

NMR Spectroscopy of Biological Solids
Author: A. Ramamoorthy
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 368
Release: 2005-09-22
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1420027611

Over the past decade, a myriad of techniques have shown that solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) can be used in a broad spectrum of applications with exceptionally impressive results. Solid-state NMR results can yield high-resolution details on the structure and function of many important biological solids, including viruses, fibril-formin

Research at the Intersection of the Physical and Life Sciences

Research at the Intersection of the Physical and Life Sciences
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 122
Release: 2010-03-25
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309147514

Traditionally, the natural sciences have been divided into two branches: the biological sciences and the physical sciences. Today, an increasing number of scientists are addressing problems lying at the intersection of the two. These problems are most often biological in nature, but examining them through the lens of the physical sciences can yield exciting results and opportunities. For example, one area producing effective cross-discipline research opportunities centers on the dynamics of systems. Equilibrium, multistability, and stochastic behavior-concepts familiar to physicists and chemists-are now being used to tackle issues associated with living systems such as adaptation, feedback, and emergent behavior. Research at the Intersection of the Physical and Life Sciences discusses how some of the most important scientific and societal challenges can be addressed, at least in part, by collaborative research that lies at the intersection of traditional disciplines, including biology, chemistry, and physics. This book describes how some of the mysteries of the biological world are being addressed using tools and techniques developed in the physical sciences, and identifies five areas of potentially transformative research. Work in these areas would have significant impact in both research and society at large by expanding our understanding of the physical world and by revealing new opportunities for advancing public health, technology, and stewardship of the environment. This book recommends several ways to accelerate such cross-discipline research. Many of these recommendations are directed toward those administering the faculties and resources of our great research institutions-and the stewards of our research funders, making this book an excellent resource for academic and research institutions, scientists, universities, and federal and private funding agencies.

Vibrational Dynamics Of Molecules

Vibrational Dynamics Of Molecules
Author: Joel M Bowman
Publisher: World Scientific
Total Pages: 603
Release: 2022-06-14
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9811237921

Vibrational Dynamics of Molecules represents the definitive concise text on the cutting-edge field of vibrational molecular chemistry. The chapter contributors are a Who's Who of world leaders in the field. The editor, Joel Bowman, is widely considered as one of the founding fathers of theoretical reaction dynamics. The included topics span the field, from fundamental theory such as collocation methods and vibrational CI methods, to interesting applications such as astrochemistry, supramolecular systems and virtual computational spectroscopy. This is a useful reference for theoretical chemists, spectroscopists, physicists, undergraduate and graduate students, lecturers and software developers.

An Introduction to Markov State Models and Their Application to Long Timescale Molecular Simulation

An Introduction to Markov State Models and Their Application to Long Timescale Molecular Simulation
Author: Gregory R. Bowman
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 148
Release: 2013-12-02
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9400776063

The aim of this book volume is to explain the importance of Markov state models to molecular simulation, how they work, and how they can be applied to a range of problems. The Markov state model (MSM) approach aims to address two key challenges of molecular simulation: 1) How to reach long timescales using short simulations of detailed molecular models. 2) How to systematically gain insight from the resulting sea of data. MSMs do this by providing a compact representation of the vast conformational space available to biomolecules by decomposing it into states sets of rapidly interconverting conformations and the rates of transitioning between states. This kinetic definition allows one to easily vary the temporal and spatial resolution of an MSM from high-resolution models capable of quantitative agreement with (or prediction of) experiment to low-resolution models that facilitate understanding. Additionally, MSMs facilitate the calculation of quantities that are difficult to obtain from more direct MD analyses, such as the ensemble of transition pathways. This book introduces the mathematical foundations of Markov models, how they can be used to analyze simulations and drive efficient simulations, and some of the insights these models have yielded in a variety of applications of molecular simulation.

Thermodynamic Theory of Site-Specific Binding Processes in Biological Macromolecules

Thermodynamic Theory of Site-Specific Binding Processes in Biological Macromolecules
Author: Enrico Di Cera
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 316
Release: 2005-02-17
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9780521619752

This book provides the first systematic treatment of the thermodynamic theory of site-specific effects in biological macromolecules. It describes the phenomenological and conceptual bases required to allow a mechanistic understanding of these effects from analysis of experimental data. The thermodynamic theory also results in novel experimental strategies that enable the derivation of information on local, site-specific properties of a macromolecular system from analysis of perturbed global properties. The treatment focuses on binding phenomena, but is amenable to extension both conceptually and formally to the analysis of other cooperative processes, such as folding and helix-coil transitions. This book will interest any scientist involved in structure-function studies of biological macromolecules, or as a text for graduate students in biochemistry and biophysics.