Investigation of biologically important small molecules: quantum chemical and molecular dynamics calculations

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2010
Tekin, Emine Deniz
In this thesis, six small molecules (S-allylcysteine, S-allyl mercaptocysteine, allicin, methyl propyl disulfide, allyl methyl sulfide and dipropylsulfide) that are found in garlic and onion, and are known to be beneficial for human health were studied using molecular mechanics, semi-empirical methods, ab-initio (Restricted Hartree Fock), and density functional theory. Using the same methods, a synthetic pyrethroid pesticide molecule, called cyfluthrin, was also studied. Structural, vibrational and electronic properties of these molecules were found. These theoretical studies could clarify the role of these molecules on human health before they are commercially developed and used. In addition, unfolding dynamics of small peptide sequences (DDATKTFT and its variants) in immunoglobulin G-binding protein G was investigated. Protein folding and unfolding is one of the most important unsolved problems in molecular biology. Because of the large number of atoms involved in protein folding, it is a massive computational problem. The hope is that, one could understand this mechanism with the help of molecular dynamics simulation on small peptides. One of our findings is that the location of the hydrogen bonds is important for the stability of the peptide.

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Citation Formats
E. D. Tekin, “ Investigation of biologically important small molecules: quantum chemical and molecular dynamics calculations,” Ph.D. - Doctoral Program, Middle East Technical University, 2010.