When   Thursday, February 5, 2009   Time   2:00 PM - 3:00 PM  
Where   Technological Instit M416 2145 Sheridan Rd.   map it
Audience   - Faculty/Staff - Student - Public
Contact   Molly E Scanlon   +1 847 491 5586  
Group   McCormick-Colloquia Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics

Applied Math Colloquium

Title: The Theory of Biological Nanomachines

Speaker: Denis Tsygankov, University of North Carolina

Abstract:

Molecular motors play important roles in various biological processes crucial for proper cellular function. The unifying property of these motors is their ability to convert the chemical energy of ATP hydrolysis into mechanical work and directed motion in a highly efficient manner. Single molecule experiments on these proteins have provided a detailed characterization of motor properties, such as step size, velocity and force generation. These experimental investigations in combination with several theoretical approaches, including structural analysis, kinetic modeling, and stochastic simulations, are beginning to provide a molecular level understanding of the biophysical mechanisms that underlie motor function. Yet some fundamental aspects of how energy transduction occurs in molecular motors remain obscure. In this talk I will present our recent advances in the theory of motor proteins and discuss some important and challenging problems for future studies in this field.

Special Note: Please note unusual day and time.