Project 109: Protein Structure and Dynamics Using Artificial Intelligence and Ultrafast Spectroscopy

Contact Information

Assoc. Prof. Bei Ding  

Email: bei.ding@sjtu.edu.cn

Project Description and Objectives

The objective of this 6-week internship is to gain exposure to interdisciplinary research involving physical chemistry, biology and optics, gain knowledge about protein structural and dynamics by following up with today's cutting-edge scientific advances from the literature, and developing skills in using PYMOL software, Alphafold2 and molecular dynamic simulations. In the last week, an academic presentation is required about things learnt. The internship will provide valuable hands-on experience, enhanced technical abilities, and contribution to academic and professional growth.

The students are encouraged to select from three interesting topics.

1)    Artificial photoenzymes that can achieve new organic reactions that are beyond natural design. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 2748–2756)

2)    Nature’s smallest photoreceptor BLUF domain with photocycles involving intricate proton transfer reactions. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 2022, 119, e2203996119)

3)    Blue-light photoceptor cryptochromes that modulate bird navigation and plant circadian clock.

Eligibility Requirements

Interest in physical chemistry or biological chemistry.

Main Tasks

Sequence Alignment and Bioinformatics Analysis.

PYMOL Software and Molecular Visualization.

Challenge: Molecular Dynamics Simulation.

Molecular biology or Ultrafast Experiments (Optional).

Website

Lab: https://www.x-mol.com/groups/bei_ding/jiaruwomen

School: http://scce.sjtu.edu.cn/en/