Determining a protein's structure is crucial to understanding its function. The three-dimensional structures of proteins are critical for their biological activity. NMR techniques will also be used to determine how and where proteins bind to other molecules. In a complex process called signal transduction, cells communicate at lightning-fast speeds. During this process, ligands, proteins or other smaller molecules, bind to receptor proteins in cells.
Ligands operate like switches, turning cells' functions on or off.
If ligands don't communicate with receptor proteins successfully, cells can't function properly and communication is disrupted. Though these snags in the protein's performance may seem minute, they can reduce a cell's immune response or lead to cell death. Such research may be crucial to understanding and treating infection. Right now, very little is known about the function of the two proteins I'm studying, and this research will hopefully create a foundation for further developments in biochemistry and immunology. Professor Andreotti's research is funded by the ISU Office of Biotechnology.