Dr Shinn explains: “My research is focused on determining the functions of intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) within proteins. It’s commonly thought that all proteins carry out their functions based on their stable three-dimensional shape, but IDRs are different. IDRs in proteins don't have a stable fixed structure or shape, yet they still play important roles providing proteins with their specific functions. These functions are much harder to predict than those provided by the proteins stable shape. IDRs are found in more than one-third of the human proteins, and it is becoming increasingly important to determine the role of IDRs.
“Gene expression is a cellular process to make the proteins cells need to function. This process has to be carefully controlled by a network of molecules interacting at the right time and location, and disruptions to cellular functions can lead to disease. We think IDRs help regulate gene expression by directing the formation of biomolecular assemblies. We use computational methods and experiments to uncover the hidden information encoded in IDRs and understand how they help build these molecular assemblies.
Understanding how these molecular mechanisms work could help us develop new treatments by identifying the specific molecules or processes that could be targeted. IDRs have been linked to conditions including neurodegenerative diseases and cancer, but because they don't have a fixed shape, they've been difficult to target with therapies. Advances in computational tools and experimental techniques are now giving us new ways to understand IDRs, opening up exciting possibilities for developing future therapies.
“The interdisciplinary nature is the most exciting aspect of studying the IDRs. The proteins are biological molecules that are at the core of gene regulation. We can use ideas from polymer physics to understand how they come together to form the molecular assemblies. These proteins can then undergo chemical changes that fine-tune how these assemblies form and function.