Pondering Polyhelical Proteins: Mathematically Modeling Helical Repeat Proteins by Lincoln Wurtz

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Title

Pondering Polyhelical Proteins: Mathematically Modeling Helical Repeat Proteins by Lincoln Wurtz

Subject

Mathematics

Description

Proteins are the most abundant biological macromolecules and, based on their
three-dimensional shape, perform life-sustaining functions. The process by which a
protein assumes its folded shape remains an open question and has intrigued biologist and chemists for decades. Mathematicians have joined forces with the natural scientists and brought with them the tools of differential geometry, which prove powerful for modeling proteins. We explore the method of [3] to model a small subset of proteins using polyhelical space curves. We successfully modeled three alpha-helical repeat proteins. The developed model has demonstrated possible uses in predicting theoretical tertiary structures of proteins given a set of secondary structures--a step in the right direction of solving the protein folding problem. Additionally, we provide insight into the relationship between clashes and the model's stability calculator, which may improve the viability of their model.

Creator

Lincoln Wurtz

Source

Senior Showcase Oral Presentation

Publisher

Ripon College

Date

April 18, 2017

Rights

The author reserves all rights.

Identifier

Majors: Mathematics and Chemistry-Biology

Files

Wurtz Modeling Polyhelical Repeat Proteins Senior Showcase.pdf

Citation

Lincoln Wurtz, “Pondering Polyhelical Proteins: Mathematically Modeling Helical Repeat Proteins by Lincoln Wurtz,” Senior Showcase Digital Collection, accessed April 25, 2024, https://rcseniorshowcase.omeka.net/items/show/77.

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