unrestrictedome

Unrestrictedome refers to the collection of all possible protein structures that could theoretically exist given the fundamental laws of physics and chemistry. This concept is a theoretical construct, distinct from the limited set of protein structures actually observed in nature, which are shaped by evolutionary pressures and biological function.

The idea of an unrestrictedome explores the vastness of the protein structural space. While the number of possible amino acid sequences is astronomically large, the number of stable, folded protein structures is thought to be considerably smaller due to physical constraints. However, even this reduced set is still immense, far exceeding the number of proteins currently known or functionally utilized by living organisms.

Understanding the unrestrictedome is of interest in fields like bioinformatics, protein design, and synthetic biology. By exploring this theoretical space, researchers aim to discover novel protein folds with potentially useful functions that may not have arisen through natural evolution. It helps to contextualize the diversity of existing proteins and provides a framework for predicting or designing new ones. The computational challenge of enumerating or exploring such a vast theoretical landscape is significant, driving advancements in computational biology and modeling techniques.