Research Coordination Network: Protein Folding and Dynamics

蛋白质折叠和动力学研究协调网络（RCN）的目标是由生物科学理事会分子和细胞生物科学部的分子生物物理学和数学和物理科学理事会物理部的生命系统物理学项目共同支持，是为了促进相互作用，这将改变对蛋白质氨基酸序列的机制的理解，通过这种机制，蛋白质的氨基酸序列将其快速有效地折叠成天然的功能构象。为了实现这一目标，一群在实验和计算/理论生物物理学方面具有互补专业知识的经验丰富的研究人员建立了一个联盟，其意图是将他们的共同努力整合在一组选定目标的折叠反应上。由理论学家进行的计算机模拟和由实验室科学家对一系列共同目标进行的实验验证的反复循环，有望显著加快解决折叠问题的进展，并改变人们对蛋白质序列、折叠和结构之间关系的看法。蛋白质折叠问题的解决方案将解决生物学中剩下的一个基本挑战，为创新工业催化剂的设计提供必要的见解，并大大提高生物技术领域蛋白质产品的产量。区域网络的联网活动将主要通过每个项目小组成员之间通过互联网的频繁互动进行。网络活动还将包括每年两次会议，一次涉及核心参与者，第二次涉及其研究小组成员。通过邀请愿意与项目团队核心成员合作分享互补专业知识的其他研究者及其学生，将促进该联盟充满活力和包容性的文化。这些受邀的研究人员也有望为该联盟带来新的蛋白质靶点，以扩大正在研究的基序库。RCN将支持解决生物学复杂问题的新范式。这种模式将采取多个实验室协同努力的形式，在实验和理论/计算科学方面具有互补的专业知识，以解决折叠问题。预计这项努力的成功将激发新的联盟的形成，以解决生物学中的其他复杂问题。RCN还将从广泛的学科中招募新一代科学家，以开发解决蛋白质折叠问题的新方法。通过从折叠反应的内在物理性质的角度重新定义蛋白质折叠问题，PI希望吸引年轻的物理学家、工程师、计算机科学家、化学家和其他人的参与，他们将把他们独特的技能和观点带到解决方案中。这些年轻科学家也将从参与合作研究工作中受益，也许在他们建立自己的职业生涯时也会寻求类似的机会。预计该项目的成功将带来许多社会效益，包括消除许多工业过程中产生的有毒溶剂和废物，设计具有卓越性能的新型可生物降解材料以及培训下一代科学家。

The goal of the Protein Folding and Dynamics Research Coordination Network (RCN), which is jointly supported by Molecular Biophysics in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences in the Directorate for Biological Sciences and the Physics of Living Systems Program in the Division of Physics in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate, is to promote interactions that would transform the understanding of the mechanism by which the amino acid sequence of a protein directs its rapid and efficient folding to the native, functional conformation. To achieve this goal, a group of experienced investigators with complementary expertise in both experimental and computational/theoretical biophysics have established a consortium whose intentions are to integrate their combined efforts on the folding reactions of a select set of targets. Repeated cycles of computer simulations by theorists and experimental validation by bench scientists on a set of common targets are expected to significantly accelerate progress on the solution to the folding problem and transform the way one thinks about the relationship between the sequence, folding and structure of proteins. A solution to the protein folding problem would resolve one of the remaining fundamental challenges in biology, provide essential insights for the design of innovative industrial catalysts and substantially improve the yields of protein products in the biotechnology arena. The networking activities of the RCN will primarily flow through the frequent interactions among the members of each project team via the internet. Network activities will also include two meetings each year, one involving the core participants and the second involving members of their research groups. A dynamic and inclusive culture for the consortium will be promoted by invitations to other investigators and their students who are willing to share their complementary expertise in collaborations with core members of the project teams. These invited investigators are also expected to bring new protein targets to the consortium to expand the repertoire of motifs under study.The RCN will support a new paradigm for solving complex problems in biology. This paradigm will take the form of concerted efforts from multiple labs with complementary expertise in experimental and theoretical/computational science to solve the folding problem. It is anticipated that success in this endeavor will inspire the formation of new consortia to solve other complex problems in biology. The RCN will also recruit a new generation of scientists from a broad range of disciplines to develop new approaches towards the solution of the protein folding problem. By recasting the protein folding problem in terms of the inherent physical properties of the folding reaction, the PI expects to attract the participation of young physicists, engineers, computer scientists, chemists and others who will bring their unique skills and perspectives towards its solution. These young scientists will also benefit from participating in collaborative research efforts and, perhaps, will seek similar opportunities as they build their own careers. It is expected that success in this project will have numerous societal benefits, including the elimination of the toxic solvents and wastes emanating from many industrial processes, the design of new biodegradable materials with remarkable properties and the training of the next generation of scientists.