Overview
Research in biophysics in our physics department is mainly on the theoretical and computational aspects of molecular biophysics particularly lipid and protein systems. On experimental aspect, our work focuses on biomaterials used in medicine.
Figure 1: Possible pore formation by Cry4Aa toxin trimer
People
- Dr. Chalermpol Kanchanawarin (Theoretical and computational biophysicist)
- Dr. Jirasak Wong-ekkabut (Theoretical and computational biophysicist)
- Dr. Weerawat Intaratat (Experimental biophysicist)
Current research topics
- Pore forming proteins
- Membrane binding proteins
- Rotary motor proteins
- Lipid systems
- Water transport through membranes
- Properties of water molecules in protein and membrane environment
Research Facilities
We have a state of the art computer cluster consisting of 17 dual quad-core Opteron nodes running Rocks cluster OS for doing Molecular Dynamics simulations using NAMD and GROMACS programs. We also have two visualization workstations each having dual quad-core Xeon CPUs with high-end graphics, stereographics glasses and large memory for analysis of large MD data using VMD program.
Collaborations
We work closely with experimentalists from other universities, e.g.
- Assoc. Prof. Chanan Angsuthanasombat (biochemist), Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol university (Salaya campus), Thailand
- Dr. Pasit Pakawatpanurut (biophysical chemist), Department of Chemistry, Mahidol university, Bangkok, Thailand
Selected publications
- Wong-Ekkabut, J, Baoukina S, Triampo W, Tang IM, Tieleman DP, Monticelli L. 2008. Computer simulation study of fullerene translocation through lipid membranes.. Nat Nanotechnol. 3:363–368
- Taveecharoenkool, T, Angsuthanasombat C, Kanchanawarin C. 2010. Combined molecular dynamics and continuum solvent studies of the pre-pore Cry4Aa trimer suggest its stability in solution and how it may form pore. PMC Biophysics. 3(10)