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Deep learning research, from ResNet to AlphaFold2, convincingly shows that deep learning can predict the native conformation of a given protein sequence with high accu- racy. Accounting for the plasticity of protein molecules remains challenging, and powerful algorithms are needed to sample the conformation space of a given amino-acid sequence. In the complex and high-dimensional energy surface that accompanies this space, it is critical to explore a broad range of areas. In this paper, we present a novel evolutionary algorithm that guides its optimization process with a memory of the explored conformation space, so that it can avoid searching already explored regions and search in the unexplored regions. The algorithm periodically consults an evolving map that stores already sampled non- redundant conformations to enhance exploration during selection. Evaluation on diverse datasets shows superior performance of the algorithm over the state-of-the-art algorithms. 

We have long known that characterizing protein structures structure is key to understanding protein function. Computational approaches have largely addressed a narrow formulation of the problem, seeking to compute one native structure from an amino-acid sequence. Now AlphaFold2 promises to reveal a high-quality native structure for possibly many proteins. However, researchers over the years have argued for broadening our view to account for the multiplicity of native structures. We now know that many protein molecules switch between different structures to regulate interactions with molecular partners in the cell. Elucidating such structures de novo is exceptionally difficult, as it requires exploration of possibly a very large structure space in search of competing, near-optimal structures. Here we report on a novel stochastic optimization method capable of revealing very different structures for a given protein from knowledge of its amino-acid sequence. The method leverages evolutionary search techniques and adapts its exploration of the search space to balance between exploration and exploitation in the presence of a computational budget. In addition to demonstrating the utility of this method for identifying multiple native structures, we additionally provide a benchmark dataset for researchers to continue work on this problem.