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Exploring Protein Folding Landscapes – How Do Proteins Fold And Why Do They Need To?

21 March, 2022 @ 7:30 pm 9:00 pm

Professor Jane Clarke FRS FRSC FMedSci

President Wolfson College University of Cambridge and Emeritus Professor of Molecular Biophysics

Proteins are, perhaps, the most important of all biological molecules. Our genes, essentially, simply carry the instructions for cells to make proteins. But newly formed proteins are just linear disordered chains: for them to function properly they have to fold into complex 3-dimensional shapes, and it is this shape that determines their function.

During my research career I have been fascinated with fundamental questions on protein folding:

  • WHY: does a given protein always fold to the same shape
  • HOW: do proteins fold to the correct shape every time, and so rapidly?
  • WHAT happens when things go wrong?

Many diseases, particularly those of ageing, are associated with failures in protein folding – Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, many cancers, cystic fibrosis. By understanding the principles of protein folding, we hope to get some insights into disease.

During my talk I will also discuss my somewhat unusual career, and why I have spent a lifetime supporting and encouraging more women and girls to pursue STEM.

Sponsored by the Royal Society of Chemistry

How to attend the lecture

Seats at the Leicester Museum and Art Gallery (New Walk) are restricted in order to maintain social distancing.  It is also possible to attend the lecture by Zoom.

Members of the Leicester Lit&Phil

Members of the Society receive an email giving details of how to attend both using Zoom. Members may attend in person by reserving a seat – click the “GOING” button below.

Non-members

Those who are not members of the Society can book tickets for £5 (or £3 for students) using EventBrite:

Free – £5 Members: Free , Non-members: £5 (£3 for students)
53 New Walk
Leicester, LE1 7EA United Kingdom
+44 (0)116 225 4900
View Venue Website