Ioan Andricioaei
Professor, Chemistry
School of Physical Sciences
School of Physical Sciences
Ph.D., Boston University, 1999
Email: andricio@uci.edu
University of California, Irvine
Mail Code: 2025
Irvine, CA 92697
Mail Code: 2025
Irvine, CA 92697
Research Interests
Theoretical Chemistry and Biophysics
Websites
Academic Distinctions
National Science Foundation Career Award
Appointments
Harvard University, 1999-2003
Research Abstract
Our research explores theoretical and computational topics at the interface between molecular biophysics and physical chemistry. It hinges on a two-fold central theme: (1) developing novel theoretical techniques and (2) applying computer and modeling methods to describe, in terms of dynamics and thermodynamics, biologically important molecular processes, with the aim to complement, enhance or predict experimental findings. Research directions include:
Enhanced Sampling in Trajectory Space. Many important equilibrium and kinetic properties of chemical systems (including proteins and nucleic acids) can be cast in terms of paths in multi-dimensional spaces. Sampling and optimization algorithms we have developed for the conformational space can be generalized and adapted to the space of paths. We see fertile ground for theoretical and computational work on several categories of paths, from chemical-reaction paths to paths in the sequence space of evolving proteins. We have developed a set of trajectory reweighting techniques based on a stochastic path integral formalism that is particularly useful to treat both computer simulations and single-molecule experimental traces.
Computer Simulations of DNA-Binding Machines. Protein-DNA interactions are essential in such crucial cellular functions as replication, repair, transcription or recombination. Many enzymes at and ahead of the replication fork affect large DNA fragments. For instance, topoisomerases undo DNA knotting. Others, like helicases and polymerases, are biomolecular motors: they use the energy of binding and/or hydrolysis of nucleotides to do mechanical work on the DNA fragments to which they bind. Another example is the machinery that compacts DNA inside the capsid of viruses. We have an avid interest in the theoretical description of these fundamental genetic processes through massively parallel computer simulations.
Dynamics-Function Relationships. Connections to NMR Relaxation. An accurate measure of free energy, important for protein/RNA stability or ligand binding, has to include the entropy manifested in molecular flexibility. On the experimental side, this dynamic aspect is brought in by developments in solution NMR spectroscopy, which measures motion by relaxation experiments. Molecular dynamics simulation is an important tool to complement these measurements and to connect dynamics to entropy.
Enhanced Sampling in Trajectory Space. Many important equilibrium and kinetic properties of chemical systems (including proteins and nucleic acids) can be cast in terms of paths in multi-dimensional spaces. Sampling and optimization algorithms we have developed for the conformational space can be generalized and adapted to the space of paths. We see fertile ground for theoretical and computational work on several categories of paths, from chemical-reaction paths to paths in the sequence space of evolving proteins. We have developed a set of trajectory reweighting techniques based on a stochastic path integral formalism that is particularly useful to treat both computer simulations and single-molecule experimental traces.
Computer Simulations of DNA-Binding Machines. Protein-DNA interactions are essential in such crucial cellular functions as replication, repair, transcription or recombination. Many enzymes at and ahead of the replication fork affect large DNA fragments. For instance, topoisomerases undo DNA knotting. Others, like helicases and polymerases, are biomolecular motors: they use the energy of binding and/or hydrolysis of nucleotides to do mechanical work on the DNA fragments to which they bind. Another example is the machinery that compacts DNA inside the capsid of viruses. We have an avid interest in the theoretical description of these fundamental genetic processes through massively parallel computer simulations.
Dynamics-Function Relationships. Connections to NMR Relaxation. An accurate measure of free energy, important for protein/RNA stability or ligand binding, has to include the entropy manifested in molecular flexibility. On the experimental side, this dynamic aspect is brought in by developments in solution NMR spectroscopy, which measures motion by relaxation experiments. Molecular dynamics simulation is an important tool to complement these measurements and to connect dynamics to entropy.
Publications
See Group Web Page (link above)
Professional Societies
American Chemical Society
American Physical Society
Biophysical Society
Other Experience
Postdoctoral Fellow
Harvard University 2000—2003
Harvard University 2000—2003
Assistant Professor
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 2003—2007
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 2003—2007
Link to this profile
https://faculty.uci.edu/profile/?facultyId=5491
https://faculty.uci.edu/profile/?facultyId=5491
Last updated
01/16/2022
01/16/2022