Computational techniques for protease research

Correct protease function is essential to many life processes such as cell division, blood pressure and digestion. Malfunction can have devastating consequences such as autoimmune disease and cancer. Consequently, research into the mechanisms of protease function is fundamental to medical research and drug development. Current research is based on the assumption that the binding mechanisms that control protease behaviour are independent of each other. While this assumption is widely recognised as inadequate, it has never been redressed. This project will develop computational techniques to remove this assumption by addressing data analysis, experimental design, and prediction of protease behaviour in order to improve protease research.