Title: Exploring landscapes of native and designed protein interaction specificity

Presenter: Amy Keating

Host: Michael Garton

Date: January 11, 2022

Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83703247484?pwd=YmlCVUFpUEMyZFFtUm5Jbk5TYVlTQT09

Abstract: Molecular recognition events between proteins are critical to cellular function. Selective formation of complexes influences the progression of disease and can determine the outcome of cell life vs. death decisions. For many families of protein interaction domains, myriad interactions are possible, and subtle details of protein sequence and structure are key to determining which do vs. do not occur. Focusing on protein families that regulate key processes, we have deciphered molecular features that confer protein interaction specificity in the context of both native and designed protein-protein interactions. I will describe approaches that combine experimental proteome screening, biophysical characterization, and computational modeling to analyze and design specific interactions involving Bcl-2 family proteins that control apoptosis and Ena/VASP proteins that promote cell motility.