Jayanth Banavar
Pennsylvania State University

3:30 PM, Wednesday, April 20, 2010, Rm 128

Geometry and Physics of Proteins

Globular proteins are a key component of the network of life. We show that the results accumulated over the years lead to a unified framework for understanding proteins. The framework predicts the existence of a fixed menu of folds determined by geometry, clarifies the role of the amino acid sequence in selecting the native-state structure from this menu, explains the propensity for amyloid formation, and reveals an astonishing simplicity underlying the protein problem.

Faculty host: Henry Greenside

Coffee and cookies before the presentation at 3:15 pm, and refreshments after the presentation will both be served in Room 128.