Proteases are enzymes that modify proteins. They are found in all forms of life, and control biological process as diverse as growth and development, digestion, immunity, and cell death. In addition, they are implicated in many diseases including autoimmune diseases, cancers, infections and blood disorders. Therefore, in-depth understanding how proteases function is essential for us to learn how biological processes are regulated, how diseases develop, and how we can develop effective treatments for such diseases.
Unfortunately, protease research is time-consuming and expensive. To help overcome these limitations, we have developed a computational system called PoPS: Prediction of Protease Specificity ([click]) that allows researchers to understand and predict how their favourite protease functions.
In this talk, I will describe the biology of the problems that we are trying to solve, and then how PoPS was specifically developed to help address the problems in protease research. I will then discuss how PoPS has been applied to some 'real life' projects.
CSE1370/CSE2370: This is one of a series of occasional talks on varied topics for interested 1st and 2nd year computing students. The talks are associated with CSE1370/CSE2370, a zero-point unit `Advanced First/Second-year Projects'; zero points but it does appear on your academic record. (Note that anyone can attend the talks.) The projects are for interested students and run in 2nd semester. Staff members, and postgraduates, will offer project topics in Computer Science, Software Engineering and related fields. But if you have a particular project idea of your own, contact Lloyd Allison who will try to find a supervisor for it.