Protein Folding Problem: Scientific Basics

Abstract

The protein folding problem is stated and a list of properties that do not depend upon specific molecules is compiled and analyzed. The relationship of this analysis to future simulations is emphasized. The choice of power and time as variables as opposed to energy and time is discussed. A wave motion model is reviewed and related to the action in classical mechanics. It is argued that the properties of the action support the idea that folding takes place in small steps. It is explained how catastrophe theory has been employed in wave motion models and how it can be used in examination of successful simulations

61 pages

References in corpus (8)

• Microscopic Theory of Protein Folding Rates.II: Local Reaction Coordinates and Chain Dynamics
• Variational theory for site resolved protein folding free energy surfaces
• Microscopic Theory of Protein Folding Rates.I: Fine Structure of the Free Energy Profile and Folding Routes from a Variational Approach
• Critical fluctuations in proteins native states
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• Physics of Caustics and Protein Folding: Mathematical Parallels