Understanding dynamic processes in protein solution

by Dr Felix Roosen-Runge (Malmö University)

Monday 25 Oct 2021, 14:30 → 15:30 Europe/Berlin

Zoom Webinar

A consistent characterization of protein dynamics in solution is an essential cornerstone to a mechanistic understanding of biological processes such as cellular transport or docking of flexible molecules. Among a range of techniques, quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS) has matured into a relevant technique for proteins in solution over the last 15 years [1].

As the first part of the talk, I will present recent results on diffusion in concentrated protein solutions such as for eye lens proteins [2] and the polydisperse cellular lysate [3]. The comparison to colloidal predictions and to complementary techniques enables a consistent understanding of the complex phenomenology.

As the second part, I address processes starting from protein solutions. Recent results on thermal denaturation in protein solutions [4], protein crystallization [5] and arrest transitions in antibody solutions [6] will be presented. A discussion on the potential of the used methods to collect time-resolved QENS signatures will conclude the presentation.

[1] M Grimaldo, F Roosen-Runge, et al. Q. Rev. Biophys. 52, e7 (2019)
[2] F Roosen-Runge, A Gulotta, et al. Biophys. J. 119 (12), 2483-2496 (2020)
[3] M Grimaldo, H Lopez, et al. J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 10 (8), 1709–1715 (2019)
[4] O Matsarskaia, L Bühl, et al. Phys.Chem.Chem.Phys. 22, 18507-18517 (2020)
[5] C Beck, M Grimaldo, et al. Crystal Growth & Design 19, 7036-7045 (2019)
[6] A Girelli, C Beck, et al. Mol. Pharmaceutics (online first) doi:10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.1c00555