330-672-9518 (FAX: 2959)
jportman
Office: 106 Science Research Building
330-672-9518 (FAX: 2959)
jportman
Research Area: Theoretical Biophysics
Our Research is in the general area of molecular biological physics. Often, conformational flexibility and dynamics is the key connection between the structure of a protein and its biological function. We are developing analytical and computational approaches to understand the mechanisms controlling large-scale structural changes in proteins. Examples include protein folding, allostery, and conformational changes induced from interactions with molecular surfaces. These questions are addressed using theoretical concepts and approaches from within statistical physics, soft condensed matter physics, and chemical physics, as well as molecular dynamics simulation.