Protein Folding, Function and Engineering

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Proteins are exquisite molecular machines-they perform a vast range of functions, from acting as catalysts, to specifically recognizing and binding all kinds of molecules, to structural support roles. The order of amino acids in the linear protein chain, i.e. the primary sequence, encodes how the protein folds into its functional “native” structure. Despite extensive study, the details of the mechanisms by which primary sequence determines protein folding and function remain obscure. Defining these mechanisms is of tremendous importance because, ultimately, such knowledge will give us the ability to accurately predict the behaviour of any protein, in natural processes, in disease, and in biotechnology. It will give us the ability to engineer or design proteins for any desired application!