Time-resolved Infrared Structural Biology of Proteins: Bringing New Light to Protein Structural Dynamics and Function*

Nearly 150,000 of protein structures have been reported using X-ray crystallography, NMR technologies, and more recently cryogenic electron microscopy (Cryo-EM). Many of these structures played indispensable roles in our understanding of protein function. Then why do we need time-resolved infrared structural biology for proteins? Infrared structural biology is an emerging technology that offers unique advantages. Based on the 3D structure of a protein, can the functional mechanism of this protein be fully explained? In my talk, I will discuss important challenges we are facing in protein structural biology, and how to overcome some of these challenges using time-resolved infrared structural biology of proteins. More importantly, time-resolved infrared structural biology can bring new insight to the study of many proteins.