Session D22: Focus Session: Protein Folding
2:30 PM–5:30 PM, Monday, March 21, 2005
LACC Room: 409B
Sponsoring Unit:
DBP
Chair: Denis Rousseau, AECOM
Abstract ID: BAPS.2005.MAR.D22.8
Abstract: D22.00008 : How does a protein fold? The effects of structure and many body interactions
4:42 PM–4:54 PM
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Abstract 
Author:
Steven Plotkin
(University of British Columbia)
A theory for how a protein folds up to a biologically functional structure has occupied researchers for the last few decades. The difficulties stem from an incomplete knowledge of an accurate Hamiltonian, as well as non-trivial aspects of polymer physics that complicate the kinetics of folding. Here I will describe some recent results showing that relaxation rates increase significantly as the folding mechanism becomes increasingly heterogeneous. I will go on to discuss the role of many-body interactions in the Hamiltonian, and show how accounting for them is essential for predicting folding rates and mechanisms.
To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2005.MAR.D22.8