Protein dynamics and amyloid formation: two sides of the same coin

Add to your list(s) Download to your calendar using vCal

• Alfonso de Simone (University of Cambridge)
• Friday 18 September 2009, 14:00-15:00
• Small Lecture Theatre, Cavendish Laboratory.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Erika Eiser.

One of the most intriguing issues in biology is the occasional conversion of proteins from their folded functional forms into thread-like molecular aggregates designated as amyloids. These transformations into an alternative form of protein structure are linked to over 40 pathological conditions ranging from neurodegenerative disorders to systemic amyloidoses. Besides their feared pathological nature, amyloids represent an appealing target for many research disciplines including Material Science,Biotechnology and Chemistry.

The seminar will focus on two amyloidogenic systems. In the case of class I hydrophobins, the self-assembly into polymers sharing large similarities with amyloids is functional and allows for the formation of water-repellent monolayers on the surface of structures such as spores and fruiting bodies. In the case of acylphosphatase, specific conditions promote an accidental aggregation into amyloids via mechanisms typical of the processes occurring in vivo at the insurgence of amyloid diseases.

Combined approaches of experiments and multiscale simulations have been employed to point out the intimate connection between protein dynamics and self-assembly. The data will show how subtle variations in the conformational free energy of protein monomers govern the processes leading to amyloid formation.

This talk is part of the BSS Formal Seminars series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• All Cavendish Laboratory Seminars
• All Talks (aka the CURE list)
• BSS Formal Seminars
• Biology
• CamBridgeSens
• Cambridge talks
• Centre for Health Leadership and Enterprise
• Dobson Group - General Interest
• Featured lists
• Life Science Interface Seminars
• Life Sciences
• Life Sciences
• ME Seminar
• Neurons, Fake News, DNA and your iPhone: The Mathematics of Information
• School of Physical Sciences
• Small Lecture Theatre, Cavendish Laboratory
• Thin Film Magnetic Talks
• Trust & Technology Initiative - interesting events
• my_list
• other talks

Note that ex-directory lists are not shown.