R. Vacha

Enhanced Diffusion through Multivalency

This study shows that increasing valency of particles enhances their diffusion speed while maintaining surface affinity, with implications for drug delivery and materials science.

Valency of Ligand-Receptor Binding from Pair Potentials

This paper shows that valency in ligand-receptor interactions varies with nanoparticle curvature, interaction strength, and concentration, and recommends avoiding pair-potentials for accurate modeling.

Insertases Scramble Lipids: Molecular Simulations of MTCH2

The paper uses molecular simulations to show MTCH2 functions as a scramblase by reducing lipid transport barriers, similar to VDAC, suggesting insertases with hydrophilic paths may also act as scramblases.

Counterintuitive Binding of Phosphorylated DEP Domain from Dishevelled Protein to Negatively Charged Membranes

The paper shows phosphorylation of DEP domain alters electrostatic potential but enhances binding to negatively charged PA-rich membranes through hydrogen bonds and ion-mediated interactions.

Phospholipids are imported into mitochondria by VDAC, a dimeric beta barrel scramblase

The paper identifies VDAC as a phospholipid scramblase that imports lipids into mitochondria through a mechanism distinct from its channel activity.

Design guidelines for α-helical peptides that self-assemble into transmembrane barrel pores killing antibiotic-resistant bacteria

This study designs α-helical peptides that self-assemble into transmembrane barrel pores, effectively killing antibiotic-resistant bacteria with low human cell toxicity.

Effect of helical kink in antimicrobial peptides on membrane pore formation

This study shows that a helical kink in antimicrobial peptides stabilizes toroidal pores and disrupts barrel-stave pores, with kink position affecting pore structure and antimicrobial activity.

Magainin 2 and PGLa in Bacterial Membrane Mimics II: Membrane Fusion and Sponge Phase Formation

This paper investigates how magainin 2 and PGLa mixtures interact with bacterial membrane mimics, showing they form fibril-like structures that lead to membrane adhesion, fusion, and sponge phase formation.

Magainin 2 and PGLa in Bacterial Membrane Mimics I: Peptide-Peptide and Lipid-Peptide Interactions

This study investigates the synergistic activity of antimicrobial peptides MG2a and PGLa by analyzing their interactions in lipid membranes using experimental and simulation methods.