Details

Subject(s)

• Biophysics [Browse]
• Biological physics [Browse]
• Proteins . [Browse]
• Phase transitions (Statistical physics). [Browse]
• Polymers  . [Browse]
• Physics [Browse]

Series

• Springer Theses, Recognizing Outstanding Ph.D. Research, [More in this series]
• Springer Theses, Recognizing Outstanding Ph.D. Research, 2190-5053 [More in this series]

Summary note

There are nearly 100 000 different protein sequences encoded in the human genome, each with its own specific fold. Understanding how a newly formed polypeptide sequence finds its way to the correct fold is one of the greatest challenges in the modern structural biology. The aim of this thesis is to provide novel insights into protein folding by considering the problem from the point of view of statistical mechanics. The thesis starts by investigating the fundamental degrees of freedom in polypeptides that are responsible for the conformational transitions. This knowledge is then applied in the statistical mechanics description of helix↔coil transitions in polypeptides. Finally, the theoretical formalism is generalized to the case of proteins in an aqueous environment. The major novelty of this work lies in combining (a) a formalism based on fundamental physical properties of the system and (b) the resulting possibility of describing the folding↔unfolding transitions quantitatively. The clear physical nature of the formalism opens the way to further applications in a large variety of systems and processes.

Notes

Description based upon print version of record.

Dissertation note

"Doctoral thesis accepted by the Goethe University of Frankfurt, Germany."

Bibliographic references

Includes bibliographical references.

Language note

English

Contents

• Introduction
• Theoretical Methods of Quantum Mechanics
• Degrees of Freedom in Polypeptides and Proteins
• Partition Function of a Polypeptide
• Phase Transitions in Polypeptides
• Folding of Proteins in Aqueous Environment.

Show 3 more Contents items

ISBN

• 1-283-47612-6
• 9786613476128
• 3-642-22592-6

OCLC

756678720

Doi

• 10.1007/978-3-642-22592-5

Statement on language in description

Princeton University Library aims to describe library materials in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections we manage. Read more...