Proteins are central to carrying out life?s processes and provide the link between genetic information and biological function. Understanding protein action is critical in understanding biology at a molecular level: improving our knowledge has applications ranging from developing drugs to synthesizing biofuels. This project will develop a new approach for studying protein action based on comparing the detailed chemical and physical properties that the molecules create. This new approach will provide better techniques for finding related molecules, or understanding the differences between similar ones. Better matching techniques will enable new tools for inferring the function of uncharacterized proteins, designing proteins to achieve specific goals, and studying evolutionary relationships.
This project will lead to new coursework in visual computing and biochemistry, contribute to training undergraduates and graduate students, and provide outreach to K-12 science education.
