The Davydov/Scott Model for Energy Storage and Transport in Proteins

The current status of the Davydov/Scott model for energy transfer in proteins is reviewed. After a brief introduction to the theoretical framework and to the basic results, the problems of finite temperature dynamics and of the full quantum and mixed quantum-classical approximations are described, as well as recent results obtained within each of these approximations. A short survey of experimental evidence in support of the Davydov/Scott model is made and absorption spectra are calculated that show the same temperature dependence as that measured in crystalline acetanilide. Future applications of the Davydov/Scott model to protein folding and function and to misfolding diseases are outlined.