Biochemist Brian Baker publishes research on protein dynamics | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame Skip To Content Skip To Navigation Skip To Search University of Notre Dame Notre Dame News Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Home Contact Search Menu Home › News › Biochemist Brian Baker publishes research on protein dynamics Biochemist Brian Baker publishes research on protein dynamics Published: January 21, 2010 Author: Marissa Runkle A discovery by associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry Brian Baker and his research group at the University of Notre Dame reveals the importance of dynamic motion by proteins involved in the body’s immune response. Results of the study were published in Immunity, the leading research journal in the field of immunology. Scientists have long known that receptors on the immune system’s T-cells are important for discovering and destroying cells that are infected with viruses or other pathogens. Baker’s group studied cross-reactivity, the ability of different T-cell receptors which number perhaps a few hundred million in the body to recognize the vastly larger number of possible antigens produced by other cells. The process is important for dealing with viruses, cancers, autoimmunity, transplant rejection and other issues related to the immune system. Most past studies considered the receptors on each cell as static components, but in fact the molecules move and adopt multiple structures. Baker’s group found that the success or failure of the T-cell receptor to attach to a target cell’s antigen involves complex movements in search of a compatible final structure. Different antigens produce different kinds of motion. “What we’re adding to the equation is how motion is involved,” Baker said. “It both complicates as well as simplifies how we think about recognition. Different extents of motion can exist when you have different antigens being presented. It complicates our thinking about how diversity is presented to the immune system, yet simplifies our thinking about how diversity is accommodated by the immune system. “Overall, we’ve got to consider flexibility when we think about structures in the immune system and structures in biology in general.” The static view long-favored in structural biology is shifting to a greater emphasis on protein dynamics, he says. For example, scientists have discovered that vaccines can help the immune system fight cancer, but vaccines that mimic biological structures can still fail if they do not take into account flexibility and dynamics. “It probably will be one of the defining areas of biochemistry over the next 10 to 15 years – getting at the role of how biological molecules move and how that movement influences biology,” Baker said. Contact: Brian Baker, associate professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, brian-baker@nd.edu, 574-631-9810 Posted In: Research Home Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Related October 05, 2022 Astrophysicists find evidence for the presence of the first stars October 04, 2022 NIH awards $4 million grant to psychologists researching suicide prevention September 29, 2022 Notre Dame, Ukrainian Catholic University launch three new research grants September 27, 2022 Notre Dame, Trinity College Dublin engineers join to advance novel treatment for cystic fibrosis September 22, 2022 Climate-prepared countries are losing ground, latest ND-GAIN index shows For the Media Contact Office of Public Affairs and Communications Notre Dame News 500 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Pinterest © 2022 University of Notre Dame Search Mobile App News Events Visit Accessibility Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn