Predoctoral Trainee
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Steven J. Darnell
Biochemistry Doctoral Training Program
Department of Biochemistry
Faculty Supervisor: Julie Mitchell
Email: sdarnell@biochem.wisc.edu
262-6844
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My current research goal is to create computational tools
to assist
and direct protein-protein interaction studies. The methods I intend to
develop will help scientists predict the effects of site-directed
mutagenesis. I will accomplish my research goal using the Fast Atomic
Density Evaluation (FADE) program, which characterizes molecular shape
based on the density of atoms near the molecular surface and is markedly
faster than any other method developed to date. Many methods for
measuring molecular shape produce surface-based descriptions; however,
FADE is capable of measuring molecular shape from points in the
three-dimensional space surrounding a molecule. This difference makes
FADE more suitable for a variety of applications, including measuring
shape complementarity in docked complexes.
The basic tools to predict and characterize critical contacts in
protein interfaces and crystal contacts by shape complementarity using
FADE are already available, but their capabilities are limited in
comparison with what can be created. My research will continue to
develop these utilities to allow users with modest computing skills to
interactively study protein interfaces and to estimate the effects of
mutations on protein-protein interactions.
CV
S Darnell's CV (.pdf
format)
Publications
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