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Dorothee Kern wants to unravel the dynamic characteristics of enzymes, signaling proteins, and the molecules they affect. Through a variety of experimental biophysical and computational methods, Kern studies the atomic changes in individual proteins as they contribute to biological function. Most recently, she and her team are focused on understanding the evolution and mechanisms behind enzyme catalysis and protein signaling. Ultimately, Kern aims to "visualize" proteins at atomic resolution and in real time, as they exhibit catalytic, signaling, or binding behaviors. One of her visions is to put protein dynamics and allosteric networks at the heart of drug discovery.