| Living systems exhibit collective behaviors characterized by hierarchical modules organized on multiple spatiotemporal scales. At its most basic level, this organization is reflected in spontaneous folding of biological macromolecules, and robust coherence of cellular metabolism. This dissertation offers a systematic quantification of thermodynamic and kinetic modes of emergence of order in a simple model of protein folding, and a general formalization of the physical mechanisms and functional significance of supramolecular protein self-assembly. These findings should prove useful in understanding the general principles of biological self-organization and its therapeutic application towards treatment of disease. |
