Abstract: Techniques for determining an equilibrium structure of a protein in a predetermined environment, the protein having Ramachandran angles and a known denatured structure, are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a method is presented which involves determining a maximum RMS volume of the known denatured structure of the protein and calculating at least one force on the protein in its current structure in the predetermined environment. The net torque resulting from the at least one force for each of the Ramachandran angles of the protein is then determined. Then at least one section of the protein structure on a side of a Ramachandran angle with greatest torque is rotated to form a new structure. A new RMS volume for the new structure is then calculated, and the method is repeated using the new structure. The method ceases when the new RMS volume of the new protein structure is not less than the RMS volume of the starting structure.

Abstract: Techniques for determining an equilibrium structure of a protein in a predetermined environment, the protein having Ramachandran angles and a known denatured structure, are disclosed. One example method includes determining a maximum RMS volume of the known denatured structure of the protein and calculating at least one force on the protein in its current structure in the predetermined environment. The net torque resulting from the at least one force for each of the Ramachandran angles of the protein is then determined. Then at least one section of the protein structure on a side of a Ramachandran angle with the greatest torque is rotated to form a new structure. A RMS volume for the new structure is then calculated, and the method is repeated using the new structure until the new RMS volume of the new protein structure is not less than the RMS volume of the starting structure.

Abstract: A screening method for determining secondary structures of a protein or polypeptide without performing computer simulation, is provided. The screening method is based in part on the interaction between the electrostatic forces and the electrostatic displacement forces in the protein, and makes use of a set of computational conditional statements. The screening method includes determining both alpha helix and beta sheet structures based on hydrophobic character and charges of the residues, among other considerations. A method for determining an overall folded structure of a protein using a physics-based simulation method with an initial configuration of the protein prepared according to the secondary structure(s) determined by the screening method, is also provided.

Abstract: An efficient computational method and system for predicting the folding regions and associated secondary and tertiary structures of a protein is disclosed. Methods and systems for sorting amino acid sequences based on predicted structures, as well as methods and systems for determining the presence or absence of genes in nucleic acid sequences or structural mutations in amino acid sequences are also disclosed. A method and system for the design of a protein is also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques for determining an equilibrium structure of a protein in a predetermined environment, the protein having Ramachandran angles and a known denatured structure, are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a method is presented which involves determining a maximum RMS volume of the known denatured structure of the protein and calculating at least one force on the protein in its current structure in the predetermined environment. The net torque resulting from the at least one force for each of the Ramachandran angles of the protein is then determined. Then at least one section of the protein structure on a side of a Ramachandran angle with greatest torque is rotated to form a new structure. A new RMS volume for the new structure is then calculated, and the method is repeated using the new structure. The method ceases when the new RMS volume of the new protein structure is not less than the RMS volume of the starting structure.