Center for Proteome Biophysics
From Atom to Protein Structure, Function & Life Phenomena via Statistical & Computational Physics of Bio-molecule
Center for Proteome Biophysics
The Center for Proteome Biophysics integrates concepts from statistical physics, supercomputing technology, and life sciences to investigate the thermodynamic, kinetic, and mutational properties of proteins, DNA, and their complexes. From this, the center explores the atomic and molecular mechanisms underlying biological phenomena and disease manifestations in life sciences.
Research Goals
- Theoretical foundations of equilibrium statistical physics are established to quantitatively describe the thermodynamic, kinetic, and mutational properties of given proteins through rigorous integration of statistical physics, life sciences, bioinformatics, and supercomputing technology. Numerical frameworks utilizing master kinetic equations of non-equilibrium statistical physics, Monte Carlo, and molecular dynamics supercomputing simulations are completed to track the non-equilibrium behavior of proteins.
- The exact free energy landscape of fundamental proteins, disease-related proteins, and those crucially involved in various life phenomena is theoretically and numerically constructed. The thermodynamic, kinetic, and mutational characteristics of protein folding-unfolding phenomena are quantitatively described under environmental changes (temperature, pH, denaturant concentration) to elucidate and regulate the biological mechanisms of target proteins in life sciences.
- Application-wise, innovative theoretical and numerical models are developed to elucidate the binding mechanisms of protein complexes involved in biological phenomena and disease onset, as well as the amyloid fibril formation mechanisms of proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases. These models are utilized to elucidate, design, and regulate the biological mechanisms of these entities through theoretical/computational statistical physics and biophysics, leading the way in creative foundational science and technology in convergent proteome biophysics on a global scale.
Major Research Fields & Contents
- Theoretical and computational proteome biophysics, bioinformatics, and structural biology
- Supercomputing simulation of biomolecules
- Theoretical and computational statistical physics
- Development of leading-edge supercomputing technology