Physics Department News
Touching proteins with virtual bare hands
The ability to precisely visualize the atomic geometry of the interactions between a drug and its protein target in structural models is critical in predicting the correct modifications in previously identified inhibitors to create more effective next generation drugs. We have combined VR visualization with fast algorithms for simulating intramolecular motions of protein flexibility, in an effort to further improve structure-led drug design by exposing molecular interactions that might be hidden in the less informative static models.
Warwick Awards for Teaching Excellence
Congratulations to Mark Newton, who was commended for a WATE 2018, and Daniel Mayoh, who was commended for a WATE PGR.
Dr Daniel Bayliss comments on the discovery of 'the building blocks of life' on Mars
Commenting on the discovery of ancient organic molecules on Mars by NASA's Curiosity rover, Dr Daniel Bayliss, assistant professor in the Astronomy and Astrophysics group at the University of Warwick, said: "Today we learnt of the breakthrough discovery of organic compounds on Mars. This is so exciting because these compounds could be formed by living organisms. The quest now will be to try to find out the origins of these compounds. Evidence for life on Mars may tell us how easy or hard it is for life to start on other planets, which has far reaching implications for life elsewhere in our Galaxy.”