Membrane protein structure and function; ion channel permeation and gating; protein-lipid interactions; membrane deformations and antimicrobial activity; protein function modulation by membrane modifiers and drugs; free energy calculation and configurational sampling methods. The Allen group focuses on the development of computational techniques to study important biophysical and physical chemistry problems. Their aim is to complement experiment by determining the microscopic driving forces of protein function in cell membranes. The Allen group is particularly interested in the function of ion channels which allow selective permeation of charged molecules across the membrane and which are essential for electrical and chemical activity in the body. They are also studying the actions of antimicrobial and viral peptides and biomembrane nano-devices, as well as the effects of membrane composition and pharmacological agents on membrane protein activity.