George N. Phillips, Jr.

Emeritus Professor 2012-present
Professor 2000-2012
Lab Website georgep@rice.edu(713) 348-6951

Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Rice University, MS140
6100 Main Street
Houston, Texas 77005-1892

Education

B.A. - Rice University
Ph.D. - Rice University

Publications
PubMed

Structure and dynamics of proteins, computational biology

The overall goal of the research in our laboratory is to relate the three-dimensional structure and dynamics of proteins to their biological functions. We use techniques of X-ray crystallography and other biophysical methods to elucidate the molecular structures, dynamics, and functions of proteins. Extensive use is made of modern computational methods to analyze the structures and their dynamics.

One project we have underway is directed towards obtaining an atomic description of the basis for binding of oxygen and other ligands to myoglobin and other heme proteins. Detailed three-dimensional structures are being determined for modified myoglobins and hemoglobins and other novel heme proteins, such as nitrobindin, a protein we discovered that reversibly binds nitric oxide and is found throughout the animal kingdom.  We have also made movies of myoglobin in action, by using time-resolved X-ray crystallgraphy. We are also working to develop new techniques for observing the dynamics of proteins and nucleic acids using diffuse X-ray scattering analysis and molecular dynamics simulations. The result will be a transition from “snapshots” of macromolecules to the generation of “movies” of molecules in action.

Organisms have proteins that are highly adapted to the growing conditions in the environment. We have determined structures of enzymes from hyperthermophilic bacteria to reveal aspects of the connections of protein structure to dynamics, which is an integral part of proteins’ designs.  We have also developed new methods of improving the thermostability of proteins for potential commercial improvements.

Members of the laboratory are also involved in the field of structural genomics, the solving of structures whose function may not yet be know. The structures often give clues about the functions. The general goal is to make available the three-dimensional structure of any protein, if not directly, through modeling based on homologs.  In this way, we hope to contribute the knowledge of what every protein in a genome does.

More recently, members of my laboratory have become involved in the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, whose mission is to contribute basic science results to the development of biofuel, particularly cellulosic ethanol.

A longstanding interest in the laboratory is also computational biology. This activity entails the development and application of modern algorithms from computer science and applied mathematics to solve interesting biological problems.


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