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Continuum modeling of macromolecular electrostatics and conformational change: mathematical analysis and simulations
Yongcheng Zhou
Department of Mathematics
UCSD
Abstract
The conformational charge in large spatial and temporal scale is essential for the proper functions of macromolecules such as ion channel gating,
membrane transpass and molecular motors; Such large deformation usually involve the electrostatic force as the major driving force. This talk
will be focused on the continuum modeling and computation of the electrostatic force and its coupling with the large macromolecular
deformation modeled as nonlinear elastic displacement. We will
investigate the regularity and the solvability of these electro-elasticity equations, analyze a stable regularization method for solving
the singular electrostatic potential from the Poisson-Boltzmann equation,
discuss the numerical issues related to harmonic extension of the
elastic displacement in the solvent region, and apply this model to two
important biological processes: the BAR domain-induced membrane curvature and protein-DNA interaction. I will also highlight the mathematical problem involved in coupling short-range van der Waals interaction, stochastic hydrodynamics forces and the ultimate multi-scale
modeling.
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