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An Integrative Study of the Activation Mechanism of Heterotrimeric Protein Gs Complexes

Visiting Scholar Fellowships
Project Investigator(s): 
Brian Kobilka - Helene Irwin Fagan Chair in Cardiology and Professor of Medicine (Cardiovascular), of Molecular & Cellular Physiology, and (by courtesy) of Chemical and Systems Biology
Michael Levitt - Robert W. and Vivian K. Cahill Professor in Cancer Research in the School of Medicine and Professor of Structural Biology and (by courtesy) of Computer Science
Awarded in 2015

NOVO NORDISK FOUNDATION-SUPPORTED VISITING SCHOLAR FELLOWSHIP PROJECT - 2015

Visiting Scholar: Rasmus Fonseca (University of Copenhagen)

Stanford Faculty Advisors: Brian Kobilka (Molecular & Cellular Physiology) and Michael Levitt (Structural Biology)

Biological molecules are too small to observe directly so we rely on indirect experiments to probe their shape and motions. The objective of my project is to utilize an exciting new computational approach to interpret sparse experimental observations of biomolecules. Our method uses theory from robotics and motion planning to efficiently provide insights into molecular mechanisms. With this approach I will investigate complex formation and activation of GPCR systems that hold particular promise for novel drug discoveries.