journal cover

Linear aggregation and liquid-crystalline order: comparison of Monte Carlo simulation and analytic theory

Dec. 31, 2010

Many soft-matter and biophysical systems are composed of monomers that reversibly assemble into rod-like aggregates that can then order into liquid-crystal phases.

model cartoon

Microtubule depolymerization by the kinesin-8 motor Kip3p: a mathematical model

April 30, 2009

Proteins from the kinesin-8 family promote microtubule depolymerization, a process thought to be important for the control of microtubule length in living cells.

model schematic

A two-state model for helicase translocation and unwinding of nucleic acids

Dec. 31, 2008

Helicases are molecular motors that unwind double-stranded nucleic acids. Here we model a helicase motor that can switch between two states, which could represent two different points in the ATP hydrolysis cycle.

network cartoon

Activating and inhibiting connections in biological network dynamics

Dec. 4, 2008

The balance between activating and inhibiting connections is important in determining whether network dynamics reach steady state or oscillate.

experimental schematic

Elasticity of short DNA molecules: theory and experiment for contour lengths of 0.6-7 micrometers

Dec. 31, 2007

The wormlike chain (WLC) model currently provides the best description of double-stranded DNA elasticity for micron-sized molecules.

TFIIA structural model

TFIIA changes the conformation of the DNA in TBP/TATA complexes and increases their kinetic stability

Dec. 31, 2007

TFIIA induces a conformational change within the TBP/TATA complex that enhances its stability under both in vitro and physiological salt conditions. We present a refined model for the effect that TFIIA has on DNA conformation that takes into account potential changes in bend angle as well as twist angle.

automaton cartoon

Multiple pattern matching: A Markov chain approach

July 31, 2007

RNA motifs typically consist of short, modular patterns that include base pairs formed within and between modules. Estimating the abundance of these patterns is of fundamental importance.

Model cartoon

Entropic elasticity of DNA with a permanent kink

Dec. 31, 2006

Single-molecule experiments have studied the elasticity of DNA with helix-deforming proteins, including proteins that bend DNA, using relatively short DNA molecules with a single, well-defined bend site. We developed a simple, theoretical description of the effect of a single bend.

Model cartoon

Systems theory of SMAD signaling

Nov. 30, 2006

To investigate the mechanisms of Smad nuclear accumulation, we developed a simple mathematical model of canonical Smad signalling.

Substitution matrix schematic

Using the nucleotide substitution rate matrix to detect horizontal gene transfer

Oct. 26, 2006

Horizontal gene transfer has allowed bacteria to evolve many new capabilities. We introduce a new class of methods for detecting HGT based on the changes in nucleotide substitution rates.

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