We study how proteins and other biomacromolecules function by investigating their mechanics, dynamics and evolution.

Proteins and RNA are constantly perturbed by their environment by external stimuli such as binding partners, by mechanical force, and by changes in pH, temperature and other factors.

These perturbations are the basic elements of the information curcuits in the cell. Examples are allosteric enzymes, modifications of natively unfolded proteins, or proteins under mechanical stress.

Our group uses molecular simulations, mainly atomic-detail Molecular Dynamics simulations, in combination with evolutionary analyses to decipher how proteins are regulated by and function upon perturbations.

We aim at explaining and predicting the molecular basis of communication in cells, in signalling cascades and throughout larger protein assemblies, to investigate how it might be modified for new purposes.