Our group is interested in studying rare events in complex systems such as folding of proteins, biomolecular isomerisation, self-assembly and nucleation events. To achieve insight in these processes we conduct multiscale modeling simulations of biomolecular systems using rare event- and coarse graining techniques. In addition we continue developing new and advanced simulation techniques.

Signal Transduction in Photoactive Proteins

Photoactive proteins are light sensors that allow plants to turn their leafs toward the sun and allow animals (and people) to see. They form the perfect study ground to understand how (sensor) proteins work, because they can simply be activated with a flash of (laser) light, after which their functioning is probed. Using molecular simulation we study the confromational changes in a model protein, Photoactive Yellow Protein, that follow the light activation, and lead to the signal.