Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Date of Degree
2-2023
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Program
Physics
Advisor
Ronald Koder
Committee Members
Richard Wittebort
Shana Elbaum-Garfinkle
Karl Sandeman
Marilyn Gunner
Subject Categories
Biological and Chemical Physics
Keywords
elastin, enzyme design
Abstract
In this dissertation I present experimental results on the structure and dynamics of elastin, an elastomeric extracellular component in vertebrates that, in mammals, provides structure and elasticity to the circulatory system, lungs, skin and joints. These experiments, using a set of designed elastin like proteins with properties analogous to the natural protein, show that elastin is highly disordered and connect this disorder to its mechanism of assembly and elasticity. In addition, I also present preliminary work on imparting flexibility into a set of computationally designed metalloenzymes to broaden the range of catalytic activities they perform.
Recommended Citation
Preston, Jonathan M., "Dynamics in Designed Elastins and Enzymes" (2023). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/5208