Benoît Roux
Encyclopedia
Benoît Roux, Ph.D., is Professor of Biochemistry
and Molecular Biophysics
at the University of Chicago
. He has previously taught at University of Montreal and Weill Medical College of Cornell University
. Benoît Roux was a recipient of the 1998 Rutherford Memorial Medal
in Chemistry
, awarded by the Royal Society of Canada
.
His laboratory at the University of Chicago mostly uses theoretical techniques, such as classical molecular dynamics
, to understand the functioning of biological system
s at the molecular level. His research has investigated structure, dynamics, and the function of biological macromolecular systems
such as ion channels, receptors
, and protein kinases.
He is a pioneer in the study of membrane protein
s using molecular dynamics
with explicit phospholipid molecules
and solvent.
His laboratory has also developed novel computational methods to improve efficiency and applicability of theoretical investigations to molecular recognition
phenomena. His work has bridged theory and experiment in biophysics
by employing ever-increasing computational power
to further the understanding of the molecular basis of life
.
Biochemistry
Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
and Molecular Biophysics
Molecular biophysics
Molecular biophysics is a rapidly evolving interdisciplinary area of research that combines concepts in physics, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and biology...
at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
. He has previously taught at University of Montreal and Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Weill Cornell Medical College is the biomedical research unit and medical school of Cornell University. The medical college is currently located at 1300 York Avenue, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City, along with the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences...
. Benoît Roux was a recipient of the 1998 Rutherford Memorial Medal
Rutherford Memorial Medal
The Rutherford Memorial Medal is an award for research in the fields of physics and chemistry by the Royal Society of Canada. It was dedicated to the memorial of Ernest Rutherford.-Physics:* 2010 : Kari Dalnoki-Veress* 2009 : Barth Nettlefield...
in Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
, awarded by the Royal Society of Canada
Royal Society of Canada
The Royal Society of Canada , may also operate under the more descriptive name RSC: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada , is the oldest association of scientists and scholars in Canada...
.
His laboratory at the University of Chicago mostly uses theoretical techniques, such as classical molecular dynamics
Molecular dynamics
Molecular dynamics is a computer simulation of physical movements of atoms and molecules. The atoms and molecules are allowed to interact for a period of time, giving a view of the motion of the atoms...
, to understand the functioning of biological system
Biological system
In biology, a biological system is a group of organs that work together to perform a certain task. Common systems, such as those present in mammals and other animals, seen in human anatomy, are those such as the circulatory system, the respiratory system, the nervous system, etc.A group of systems...
s at the molecular level. His research has investigated structure, dynamics, and the function of biological macromolecular systems
Macromolecule
A macromolecule is a very large molecule commonly created by some form of polymerization. In biochemistry, the term is applied to the four conventional biopolymers , as well as non-polymeric molecules with large molecular mass such as macrocycles...
such as ion channels, receptors
Receptor (biochemistry)
In biochemistry, a receptor is a molecule found on the surface of a cell, which receives specific chemical signals from neighbouring cells or the wider environment within an organism...
, and protein kinases.
He is a pioneer in the study of membrane protein
Membrane protein
A membrane protein is a protein molecule that is attached to, or associated with the membrane of a cell or an organelle. More than half of all proteins interact with membranes.-Function:...
s using molecular dynamics
Molecular dynamics
Molecular dynamics is a computer simulation of physical movements of atoms and molecules. The atoms and molecules are allowed to interact for a period of time, giving a view of the motion of the atoms...
with explicit phospholipid molecules
Phospholipid
Phospholipids are a class of lipids that are a major component of all cell membranes as they can form lipid bilayers. Most phospholipids contain a diglyceride, a phosphate group, and a simple organic molecule such as choline; one exception to this rule is sphingomyelin, which is derived from...
and solvent.
His laboratory has also developed novel computational methods to improve efficiency and applicability of theoretical investigations to molecular recognition
Molecular recognition
The term molecular recognition refers to the specific interaction between two or more molecules through noncovalent bonding such as hydrogen bonding, metal coordination, hydrophobic forces, van der Waals forces, π-π interactions, electrostatic and/or electromagnetic effects...
phenomena. His work has bridged theory and experiment in biophysics
Biophysics
Biophysics is an interdisciplinary science that uses the methods of physical science to study biological systems. Studies included under the branches of biophysics span all levels of biological organization, from the molecular scale to whole organisms and ecosystems...
by employing ever-increasing computational power
Moore's Law
Moore's law describes a long-term trend in the history of computing hardware: the number of transistors that can be placed inexpensively on an integrated circuit doubles approximately every two years....
to further the understanding of the molecular basis of life
History of biology
The history of biology traces the study of the living world from ancient to modern times. Although the concept of biology as a single coherent field arose in the 19th century, the biological sciences emerged from traditions of medicine and natural history reaching back to ayurveda, ancient Egyptian...
.
External links
- Rutherford Memorial Medal Winners ListRutherford Memorial MedalThe Rutherford Memorial Medal is an award for research in the fields of physics and chemistry by the Royal Society of Canada. It was dedicated to the memorial of Ernest Rutherford.-Physics:* 2010 : Kari Dalnoki-Veress* 2009 : Barth Nettlefield...