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Molecular Mechanics Poisson–Boltzmann Surface Area (MM-PBSA): A Physics-Based Perspective on Binding Free Energy
At its core, MM-PBSA is a framework for estimating the thermodynamic potential of molecular association, grounded in the canonical ensemble of statistical mechanics. The binding of a ligand (L) to a receptor (R) to form a complex (RL) can be rigorously described by the Helmholtz free energy difference: ΔG_bind = G_RL - (G_R + G_L) = -k_B T ln(Z_RL / (Z_R Z_L)), where each Z is a configurational partition function integrating over all atomic coordinates and solvent degrees of
Alper KARAGÖL
Oct 183 min read


Timing Is Everything: How I Learned to Avoid Bench Rejection and Choose the Right Journal
When I first started submitting my research, I thought the hard part was writing the manuscript. I’d finish my draft, do a quick...
Alper KARAGÖL
Aug 163 min read


Optimizing Early Research Resource Allocation
Resource allocation in the early stages of research is a critical factor that can determine the success or failure of a project. Whether...
Alper KARAGÖL
Feb 32 min read


Observing Then Hypothesis vs. Hypothesis Then Observing: Which is Better and Less Biased?
In the world of scientific inquiry and research, one of the most fundamental questions revolves around the methodology used to explore...
Alper KARAGÖL
Jun 5, 20242 min read


Extensive Form Games of the Evolutionary Game Theory
Evolutionary game theory, where Darwinian selection meets strategic decision-making, is a powerful tool for understanding animal...
Alper KARAGÖL
May 11, 20241 min read


Don't Be Fooled by Nature: Recognizing the Naturalistic Fallacy
Nature is the source of life, and what's more fundamental than value things that are natural? The naturalistic fallacy is a logical...
Alper KARAGÖL
Mar 26, 20242 min read


When You're a Hammer, Are All Problems Nails?
The proverb "When you are a hammer, everything looks like a nail" humorously highlights the tendency to see problems through the lens of...
Alper KARAGÖL
Feb 23, 20242 min read


The Normal Mode Analysis: An attempt to explain vibrational motions of molecules.
Normal Mode Analysis (NMA) is a computational technique that plays a crucial role in understanding the vibrational dynamics of molecules....
Alper KARAGÖL
Feb 15, 20243 min read


How Math Helps Us Understand How Proteins Fold: Knot theory
Knot theory is a branch of mathematics that studies the properties of knots and links, which are essentially strings or loops that can be...
Alper KARAGÖL
Jan 30, 20243 min read


The Hidden Linearity: Why AI's Foundations Go Beyond Neural Networks
The rise of artificial intelligence has ignited imaginations and fueled anxieties. Deep learning algorithms, with their complex neuronal...
Alper KARAGÖL
Jan 23, 20242 min read


Beyond Ctrl+C
While the foundation of science rests on rigorous repetition and established principles, true scientific progress hinges on something...
Alper KARAGÖL
Jan 10, 20242 min read


Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS)
CDSS are computer programs designed to aid healthcare professionals in making informed clinical decisions. They act as intelligent...
Alper KARAGÖL
Jan 10, 20242 min read


About the Post-Hoc Theorizing
Here's the problem: when we analyze data after the fact, we're susceptible to confounding variables, hidden influences that can distort...
Alper KARAGÖL
Jan 2, 20242 min read


Should Science Be Normative? Issues in Open Science and Public Understanding
Scientific evidence not only illuminates problems but also guides solutions. Climate change research wouldn't just provide predictions,...
Alper KARAGÖL
Dec 28, 20233 min read


Mathematics of Molecular Evolution
Imagine a protein, a molecule essential for life, folding into its functional shape. This seemingly simple act is governed by a web of...
Alper KARAGÖL
Dec 23, 20232 min read


Value judgments on the analysis of complex systems and inherent risks of holistic methodology
Some holistic approaches involve evaluating systems based on their "wholeness" or harmony. These evaluations often rely on subjective...
Alper KARAGÖL
Dec 21, 20232 min read


The Protein Paradox: Animal sentience, and the ethical imperative of veganism.
Science is steadily dismantling the anthropocentric myth of human exceptionalism. Studies reveal complex cognitive abilities in animals...
Alper KARAGÖL
Dec 20, 20232 min read


Medical Education Alone Falls Short: The Imperative for Methodology for Future Scientists
While a medical degree equips you with the knowledge and skills to be a skilled clinician, it's only the first step on the path to...
Alper KARAGÖL
Dec 19, 20231 min read
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