Dr. Neville Bethel is an innovative researcher pioneering new frontiers in protein dynamics and molecular design. He currently serves as Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California, San Diego where he leads an interdisciplinary research group focused on protein motion and function. After earning a Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Stony Brook University in 2013, he pursued doctoral studies in Biophysics at the University of California San Francisco, completing his PhD in 2018 with a Clements Distinguished Thesis Award. His postdoctoral training as an HHMI Hanna Gray Fellow at the University of Washington's Institute for Protein Design under David Baker further honed his expertise in computational protein design and structural biology.
Dr. Bethel's groundbreaking research centers on the de novo design of protein motion, seeking to understand how proteins dynamically change shape to perform their biological functions. His laboratory employs a sophisticated blend of computational modeling, molecular dynamics simulations, and experimental validation to probe protein ensembles and conformational changes that underlie biological activity. A key contribution has been developing approaches to engineer proteins with novel mechanical properties by deciphering the molecular interactions that govern protein assembly and behavior. His work has garnered significant recognition with over 2300 citations across his publications, demonstrating the field's rapid adoption of his insights into protein mechanics and design principles.
As Principal Investigator of the Bethel Lab at UCSD, he actively mentors graduate students and postdoctoral researchers while expanding the frontiers of protein engineering for biological applications. His current research explores the creation of molecular switches and new protein-based materials with tailored mechanical properties not found in nature. The laboratory's innovative work bridges computational biophysics, structural biology, and synthetic biology to address fundamental questions about protein motion and function. With support from prestigious fellowships including the HHMI Hanna Gray award, Dr. Bethel continues to advance the field toward creating increasingly sophisticated biomolecular machines with transformative potential for biotechnology and medicine.
