Thermal fluctuations create regional disorder within protein structures. It is increasingly apparent that this dynamical disorder is both intrinsic to proteins and inherently important for their functioning. Dr. Friedman proposes to study this relationship between dynamical disorder and functionality. He will use heme proteins as a model system, studying the rebinding of ligands after photodissication. The focus will be upon characterization of parameters of the disordered states and establishing their relationship to the quantum yield of photolysis, the rebinding rates and the entry into and escape from the heme pocket by the ligand.
