R. Dean Astumian

Professor
Physics and Astronomy

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

T. Nicolás-GarcíaN. Martín Sabanés, R. Bocanegra, R. D. Astumian, E. M. Pérez, B. Ibarra, “Transition-path times of individual molecular shuttles under mechanical equilibrium show symmetry,” Chem, Volume 0, Issue 0, 102410 (2025)
https://www.cell.com/chem/fulltext/S2451-9294(24)00655-7

“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.

Areas of Expertise

Biophysics
Chemically driven molecular motors and pump
Condensed Matter Physics

Education

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
Portrait of Dean Astumian
Professor