Gianluca Lattanzi — Università di Foggia#
Simulations meet experiments: from membrane proteins to biosensors #
The continuous development of theoretical models and computational methods has contributed to an unprecedented arsenal of different and/or complementary approaches aimed at the investigation of nature. However, only the comparison between model predictions and experimental data can ultimately assess the quality of the chosen model of reference. In this respect, biological materials constitute a challenging yet paradigmatic benchmark for the application of theoretical physics in an integrative approach that takes into account also the particularities of the involved disciplines.

In this talk, I will present case studies in which theoretical models and computational methods allowed us to interpret experimental data and elucidate observed puzzling phenomena.

In each presented case, the questions posed by the experimental investigations dictated the choice of the interpretative model that, in turn, lead to a progress in the understanding of the observed behavior. This could not have been achieved without a close collaboration and a continuous exchange of information between scientists with most diverse backgrounds. However, this integrative approach requires a great amount of patience and a rather uncommon versatility in dealing with different jargons and views. These epistemological aspects will be highlighted in each of the presented case studies, with the conviction in that they represent the key to achieve excellence in this intriguing field of research.