Protein Folding
Protein folding is the process by which an extended protein chain in a disordered conformation arranges itself to form a well-defined tertiary structure with a specific function in the cell.

Remarkably, most naturally-occurring proteins fold quickly and reliably to their native state despite the astronomical number of possible configurations that they can assume. Furthermore, in the cell, there is a machinery of pre-existing proteins, termed molecular chaperones, which assist in the folding and prevent the misfolding of newly-synthesized polypeptides.

Understanding the principles that govern protein folding in vitro and in vivo is a central concern in biology due to the broad implications of this process on basic science, biotechnology, and human diseases. While theoreticians endeavour to predict protein structures from basic principles, experimentalists study the folding process by using the latest biophysical and biochemical techniques.

Unraveling the mysteries of protein folding is an exciting and unique challenge that will fuel our curiosity and test our intellect for many years to come.

 
 Faculty currently doing research in this area:
J.W. Callahan Professor Emeritus
Inborn Errors of Lysosomes
Hospital for Sick Children, Research Institute, Room 9144
416-813-5754 john.callahan@sickkids.ca
A. Chakrabartty
Protein Folding and Design
Ontario Cancer Institute, MaRS Room 4307
416-581-7553 chakrab@uhnres.utoronto.ca
H.S. Chan
Theoretical and Computational Approaches to Protein Folding
Medical Sciences Building, Room 5363
416-978-2697 chan@arrhenius.med.utoronto.ca
D.M. Clarke   Canada Research Chair in Membrane Biology
Structure and Function of Membrane Transport Proteins
Medical Sciences Building, Room 7342
416-978-1105 david.clarke@utoronto.ca
A. Davidson
In Vitro and In Vivo Studies of Protein-Protein Interactions and Macromolecular Assembly
Medical Sciences Building, Room 4285
416-978-0332 alan.davidson@utoronto.ca
C.M. Deber
Protein Structure in Membrane Domains
Hospital for Sick Children, Research Institute, Room 3427A
416-813-5924 deber@sickkids.ca
C. Enenkel
Regulation of Proteasome Homeostasis
Medical Sciences Bldg., Room 5306
416-978-3843 cordula.enenkel@utoronto.ca
J. Forman-Kay
Protein Structure, Dynamics and Folding by NMR Method
Hospital for Sick Children, Research Institute, Room 3401
416-813-5358 forman@sickkids.ca
J.R. Glover
Molecular Chaperones
Medical Sciences Building, Room 5302
416-978-3008 john.glover@utoronto.ca
W.A. Houry
Chaperones in Protein Folding and Degradation
Medical Sciences Building, Room 5308
416-946-7141 walid.houry@utoronto.ca
P.L. Howell
Macromolecular Complexes Involved in Bacterial Biofilm Formation
Hospital for Sick Children, Research Institute, Room 3427B
416-813-5378 howell@sickkids.ca
L. Kay
Development and Application of NMR Methods for The Study of Protein Structure and Dynamics
McMurrich Building, Room 1233
416-978-0741 kay@pound.med.utoronto.ca
F.W. Keeley
Synthesis and Assembly of Elastin and Elastin-Like Structural Proteins of the Extracellular Matrix
Hospital for Sick Children, McMaster Building, Room 7003
416-813-6704 fwk@sickkids.ca
R. Melnyk
Bacterial Pathogenesis: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches
Hospital for Sick Kids, Room 3203A
416-813-7654 x28557 roman.melnyk@sickkids.ca
R. Pomès
Theoretical Methods Applied to the Structure, Function and Dynamics of Biological Macromolecules
Hospital for Sick Children, Research Institute, Room 3405
416-813-5686 pomes@sickkids.ca
F. Sicheri
Structural Biology of Eukaryotic Signal Transduction
Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital
416-586-8471 sicheri@lunenfeld.ca
Boris Steipe
Bioinformatics
Medical Sciences Building, Room 5271
416-946-7741 boris.steipe@utoronto.ca
D.B. Williams
Protein Folding & Quality Control
within the Endoplasmic Reticulum

Medical Sciences Building, Room 5316
416-978-2546 david.williams@utoronto.ca
C.M. Yip
Biomolecular Engineering at Interfaces
Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research (CCBR) Room 404
416-978-7853 christopher.yip@utoronto.ca
 

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