(Figures borrowed from http://www.lce.hut.fi/publications/annual2004/fig43.jpg; http://devcell.bio.uci.edu/images/DROSOPHILA.gif)
General Problem: The emergent of properties of complex systems are determined by the interactions among their components. In the case of proteins, a subtle change in the chemical environment or a single deleterious mutation can disrupt the conformation and activity of the whole molecule. Proteins are holons, which means that they appear to be complete but are actually components are larger systems. The fragility of complex systems, and their tendency to interact with other systems, complicates efforts to design new systems.
Strategy : Nature manages protein complexity through the process of molecular evolution. We address evolutionary questions (red bubbles) by formulating specific hypotheses (see Current Projects), and devising experimental tests (green bubbles).
Organization: Students develop into scientists as they study the literature, learn experimental techniques, formulate their own hypotheses and design their own experiments. Post-doctoral fellows develop into professors by identifying an important scientific question, developing a new tools to address that question, and communicating their accomplishments to prospective employers. Lab members are not encouraged to pursue engineering projects because the training opportunities are not as good, and because the funding opportunities are not as obvious.