Center for Theoretical Biological Physics

Amyloid

Cancer ‘guardian’ breaks bad with one switch

A mutation that replaces a single amino acid in a potent tumor-suppressing protein makes it prone to nucleating amyloid fibrils implicated in many cancers as well as neurological diseases.

3D illustration of the bacterial pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Study could explain tuberculosis bacteria paradox

Tuberculosis bacteria have evolved to remember stressful encounters and react quickly to future stress, according to a study by computational bioengineers at Rice University and infectious disease experts at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

Propofol B

Study shows why anesthetic stops cell’s walkers in their tracks

Researchers detail the mechanism that allows propofol, a common anesthetic, to halt the movement of kinesin proteins that deliver cargoes to the far reaches of cells.

Atom-scale models by Rice University scientists based on those used to predict how proteins fold show a strong correlation between minimally frustrated binding sites and drug specificity. The funnel, a visual representation of the protein’s energy landscape as it folds, helps locate those frustrated sites. Such models could lead to better-designed drugs with fewer side effects. (Credit: Illustration by Mingchen Chen/Rice University)

Understanding frustration could lead to better drugs

Atom-scale models of proteins that incorporate ligands, like drug molecules, show a strong correlation between minimally frustrated binding sites and drug specificity. Such models could lead to better-designed drugs with fewer side effects.

Dumbbell-like sequences in DNA during interphase suggest several unseen aspects of chromosome configuration and function. (Credit: Illustration by Ryan Cheng/CTBP)

At our cores, we’re all strengthened by ‘dumbbells’

Scientists at Rice’s Center for Theoretical Biological Physics detail the structure of dumbbell-like sequences in DNA during interphase that suggest several unseen aspects of chromosome configuration and function.

José Onuchic

Pope picks Rice professor for science academy

Rice University physicist José Onuchic has been appointed by Pope Francis to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

Scientists at Rice University and the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) uncovered new clues in the protein CPEB3 as part of their dogged pursuit of the mechanism that allows humans to have long-term memories. Researchers at Rice University modeled the binding structures of actin and associated proteins they believe are responsible for the formation of longterm memory. Here, the beta hairpin form of zipper sequence is a potential core for the formation of intramolecular beta she

Protein ‘chameleon’ colors long-term memory

Researchers model the binding structures of actin and associated proteins they believe are responsible for the formation of longterm memory.

José Onuchic, left, and Peter Wolynes, co-directors of the Center for Theoretical Biological Physics at Rice University. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University)

NSF renews Rice biological physics center

$12.9 million in funding backs Center for Theoretical Biological Physics research into mysteries at the intersection of biology and physics.

Diagram illustrating how a C-worthy technique that dramatically enhances the accuracy of gene editing.

‘Bystander’ Cs meet their match in gene-editing technique

Biomolecular engineers at Rice have developed new tools to increase the accuracy of CRISPR single-base editing to treat genetic diseases.

Illustration of coronavirus overlaid with a field of 1s and 0s.

AMD gives supercomputer to Rice for COVID-19 research

AMD is donating a petaflop-scale supercomputer to Rice University to speed progress on pandemic-related research.

Anatoly Kolomeisky and Oleg Igoshin

Hidden symmetry found in chemical kinetic equations

Rice University researchers have discovered a hidden symmetry in the chemical kinetic equations scientists have long used to model and study many of the chemical processes essential for life.

Models by Rice University chemists calculate the chemical and mechanical energies involved in “bursty” RNA production in cells. Their models show how RNA polymerases create supercoils of DNA that allow production of RNA that goes on to produce proteins.

Cells’ springy coils pump bursts of RNA

Models by Rice chemists calculate the chemical and mechanical energies involved in “bursty” RNA production in cells.

The caduceus, often depicted as a symbol of medicine, and a cohesin protein.

Snake-like proteins can wrangle DNA

Theoretical simulations at Rice University suggest structural maintenance of chromosome proteins coil not only around each other but also around the strands of DNA they help manipulate. These strands are formed into loops that regulate transcription and other cellular processes.