I am happy to announce the publication of a book "Simulations in Nanobiotechnology", which was contributed from researchers (including iMechanicians) who have expertise in the area of nanobiotechnology. The book is aimed at presenting the current state-of-arts in computational simulations of biological objects such as proteins as well as nanomaterials such as graphene, and also bio-nano-hybrid system such as nanopore-biomolecule interactions. This book provides the insight into the simulation-based characterization in nanobiotechnology.

We have several open postdoc positions, to be filled immediately.

The first project is focused on thermal management. The project involves the computational and theoretical analysis of graphene/graphite-metal nanocomposites and experimental work carried out by other team members. We are looking for a strong person with background in thermal and mechanical properties of materials, preferrably with background in molecular simulation.

For the other projects we are looking for candidates with expertise in mechanics of materials. Our projects are specifically focused on molecular and coarse-grain modeling of deformation and failure of soft biological materials and include a focus on collagen, spider silk, amyloid materials and other biomaterials.

The recent issue of Nature Materials includes a review paper on the deformation and failure of protein materials in physiologically extreme conditions and disease. The paper was interesting, so I am posting the abstract here. For the full-paper visit Nature Materials.

Nature Materials 8, 175 - 188 (2009) | doi:10.1038/nmat2387

Deformation and failure of protein materials in physiologically extreme conditions and disease

Markus J. Buehler & Yu Ching Yung

Proteins are the key building blocks of all biological matter. While engineers predominantly use concrete, metals, ceramics and synthetic polymers as structural materials for their high strength and durability, Nature exploits complex mechanical and chemical features of proteins for building strong, elastic and robust materials and structures. For example, spider silk, amyloid (sturdy protein fibrils found in many diseases) and muscle fibers are made entirely of proteins and blend extensibility with high strength to achive extreme toughness. These super-fibers represent an alternative scheme of material design to biomineralization, which allows for incorporation of minerals in protein scaffolds to build very stiff and tough materials such as nacre, mollusk shells and bone. Many scientists have been intrigued by Nature's unknown recipe for creating soft yet durable and strong materials. These materials are different from their synthetic equivalents because they employ hydrogen bonds that are much weaker than covalent or metallic bonds, and exhibit entropic elasticity at the nano-scale.

Hi, all

Molecular dynamics (or MC) is a powerful tool in the protein research. There're lots of scientific works in this field, which deepen our understanding gradually. My question follows, "how about the continuum mechaics in protein research".

Any discussions and advices are appreciated.

Kong    5th Sep 2007