R. Dean Astumian

R. Dean Astumian
Professor of Physics

  • B.S. 1978 Chemistry, University of Texas, Arlington
  • M.S. 1982 Chemistry, University of Texas, Arlington
  • Ph.D. 1983 Mathematical Science/Physical Chemistry,
    University of Texas, Arlington

Office: 122 Bennett Hall

Office Phone: 207/581-1024

EMail: astumian@maine.edu

Research Interests:

  • Biophysics
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Chemically driven molecular motors and pump

Current CV

Selected Recent Publications:

N.S. Mandal, A. Sen, and R.D. Astumian, “Kinetic Asymmetry versus Dissipation in the
Evolution of Chemical Systems as Exemplified by Single Enzyme Chemotaxis,” J Am
Chem Soc 145(10), 5730–5738 (2023).
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jacs.2c11945

R.D. Astumian, “Nonequilibrium steady states, ratchets, and kinetic asymmetry,” Matter
6(8), 2533–2536 (2023).
https://www.cell.com/matter/pdf/S2590-2385(23)00363-6.pdf

L. Zhang, Y. Qiu, W.-G. Liu, H. Chen, D. Shen, B. Song, K. Cai, H. Wu, Y. Jiao, Y.
Feng, J.S.W. Seale, C. Pezzato, J. Tian, Y. Tan, X.-Y. Chen, Q.-H. Guo, C.L. Stern, D.
Philp, R.D. Astumian, W.A. Goddard, and J.F. Stoddart, “An electric molecular motor,”
Nature 613(7943), 280–286 (2023).
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-05421-6

E. Penocchio, A. Bachir, A. Credi, R.D. Astumian, and G. Ragazzon, “Analysis of
kinetic asymmetry in a multi-cycle reaction network establishes the principles for
autonomous compartmentalized molecular ratchets,” Chem, (2024), DOI
10.1016/j.chempr.2024.07.038.
https://www.cell.com/chem/fulltext/S2451-9294(24)00381-4

N.S. Mandal, A. Sen, and R.D. Astumian, “A molecular origin of non-reciprocal
interactions between interacting active catalysts,” Chem 10(4), 1147–1159 (2024).
https://www.cell.com/chem/abstract/S2451-9294(23)00571-5

R.D. Astumian, “Kinetic Asymmetry and Directionality of Nonequilibrium Molecular
Systems,” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 63(9), e202306569 (2024).
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/anie.202306569

L. Zhang, H. Wu, X. Li, H. Chen, R.D. Astumian, and J.F. Stoddart, “Artificial molecular
pumps,” Nat. Rev. Methods Prim. 4(1), 13 (2024).
https://www.nature.com/articles/s43586-024-00291-w

“Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Molecular Motors”, Biophysical Journal, 98, 2401-9, June 2010.

“Design principles for Brownian molecular machines: how to swim in molasses and walk in a hurricane,” Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 9(37):5067-83, Oct. 7, 2007.

“Adiabatic operation of a molecular machine,” PNAS, 104(50):19515-18,
Dec. 11, 2007.

“Chemical peristalsis,” PNAS, 102(6):1843-47, Feb. 8, 2005.

“Thermodynamics and Kinetics of a Brownian Motor,” Science Magazine, 276:917-922, May 9, 1997.