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

I. Aprahamian, R. Astumian, C. Bruns, S. Goldup, P. Metragolo and D. Pooler, “Molecular machines: terminology in turmoil,” Royal Society of Chemistry, (2025). https://www.chemistryworld.com/opinion/take-two-polls-to-help-iupac-define-molecular-machines/4021360.article

Click image to read Dr. Astumian’s article, recently featured on the cover of Chem Soc Rev.

“Radical-pairing-induced molecular assembly and motion”, Nature Reviews Chemistry, 5, pages 447–465, June 9, 2021

“Molecular Pumps and Motors”, American Chemical Society, 143, 15, 5569–5591, April 8, 2021

“Pumps through the Ages“, Science Direct, Volume 6, Issue 8, Pages 1952-1977, August 6, 2020

“A precise polyrotaxane synthesizer“, Science,Vol. 368, Issue 6496, pp. 1247-1253, June 12, 2020:

“Kinetic asymmetry allows macromolecular catalysts to drive an information ratchet“, Nature Communications, Volume 10, Article number: 3837 (2019)

“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. Vol 276, No. 5314. May, 1997