Theoretical and computational investigations of single biomolecule and multicellular morphogenetic processes

单生物分子和多细胞形态发生过程的理论和计算研究

• 批准号: 250041-2007
• 负责人: Plotkin, Steven
• 金额: $ 2.19万
• 依托单位: University of British Columbia
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2010-01-01 至 2011-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=455539
• 关键词: Theoretical; computational; investigations; single; biomolecule

In this proposal, we investigate fundamental phenomena in biology from the viewpoint of physics, using analytical and computational tools. We are interested primarily in 3 research areas. One is in biologically inspired optimization problems. Often evolution seeks to optimize the fitness of an organism by modifying shape, motion, or molecules. In some cases such optimization may be understood mathematically, in others, through computer algorithms. We focus specifically on a problem important to understanding how a protein folds to its biologically functional structure, which involves generalizing the notion of distance, normally taken between points, to objects of higher dimension. Another optimization problem is related to phylogenetic trees, the tree of life, and involves the construction of high-dimensional networks of minimal length indicating how closely related living species are, as well as what their common ancestors may have looked like. We are interested in constructing such networks and understanding their universal properties.

在这个建议中，我们从物理学的角度，使用分析和计算工具来研究生物学中的基本现象。我们主要对3个研究领域感兴趣。一个是生物启发的最优化问题。通常，进化寻求通过改变形状、运动或分子来优化有机体的适应性。在某些情况下，这种优化可以在数学上理解，在其他情况下，可以通过计算机算法来理解。我们特别关注一个对理解蛋白质如何折叠到其生物功能结构的重要问题，这涉及到将通常在点之间的距离的概念推广到更高维度的对象。另一个优化问题与生命树--系统发育树有关，涉及构建最小长度的高维网络，表明现有物种的亲缘关系有多近，以及它们的共同祖先可能是什么样子。我们对构建这样的网络和了解它们的普遍性质很感兴趣。