Bhadresh Rami.
NCBS, TIFR Centre, Bengaluru, India.
bhadreshrami@yahoo.com

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Abstract

Organization - self or assisted - is central to all biological phenomena. This is exemplified when a linear sequence of amino acids organizes itself into a uniquely folded three-dimensional protein structure.
My research addresses the physico-chemical principles underlying high-fidelity information transfer as it occurs during Protein Folding. It is shown that protein folding occurs via a nucleation-condensation mechanism. The folding rate is critically dependent on the consolidation of a native-like topology and the earliest events in folding of protein resemble continuous transitions occurring in homopolymers. Misguided organization of proteins is often the distinguishing factor between the states of health and disease.
Diabetes (Type I/II) is increasingly being recognized as a “Conformational Disease” caused primarily due to the improper folding of the insulin polypeptide chains in response to genetic/physiological cues. The principles realized from my studies in protein folding will be used to study the effect of Endoplasmic Reticulum stress on folding of insulin and its role in the development of Diabetes.