Benoît T. Roux, Ph.D.

Amgen Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Work 929 E. 57th St Office: GCIS – 323B Chicago, IL 60637 Work Fax: 773.834.3557 Work Fax: 773.834.1917
Photo of Benoît T. Roux, Ph.D.

Biographical Info

Research Interest

We are particularly interested in issues concerning the function of ion channels and other membrane transport proteins such as ion permeation, ion selectivity, and gating. Most of our work on ion channels is computational, though we have recently started to add an experimental component to our research with electrophysiological measurements and protein crystallography.

The computational approach, called “molecular dynamics” (MD), is central to our work. It consists of constructing detailed atomic models of the macromolecular system and, having described the microscopic forces with a potential function, using Newton’s classical equation, F=MA, to simulate the dynamical motions of all the atoms as a function of time. The calculated trajectory, though an approximation to the real world, provides detailed information about the time course of the atomic motions, which is nearly impossible to access experimentally. We use such all-atom MD simulations to rigorously compute conformational free energies, and binding free energies.

In addition, other computational approaches, at differing levels of complexity and sophistication, can be very useful. In particular, Poisson Boltzmann (PB) continuum electrostatic models, in which the influence of the solvent is incorporated implicitly, plays an increasingly important role in estimating the solvation free energy of macromolecular assemblies. We are also developing new computational approaches (polarizable force field, solvent boundary potentials, efficient sampling methods) for studying biological macromolecular systems.

Honors and Awards

Featured Publications

For a complete list of publications click here:

Training

  • Ph.D., 1980, Harvard University, Biophysics
  • M.Sc, 1984, University of Montreal, Physics
  • B.Sc., 1981, University of Montreal, Physics

 

Categories: Senior Fellow