Amadeu K. Sum
Assistant Professor
Research Description
The research in my group covers broad areas ranging from soft condensed
matter to structured materials to biological systems, with emphasis on
molecular descriptions as the basis to understand macroscopic properties
and behavior. Theoretical, computational, and experimental methods are
employed as research tools to broaden our fundamental knowledge while
applying those principles to tackle practical problems. Every topic of
research emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses knowledge
and skills covering the chemical, physical, and life sciences, computer
science, and engineering. Some of the current projects include: fundamentals
and applications of clathrate hydrates; biophysics of cellular systems;
sensory response to stimulation; mechanisms for fatty-acid induced cytotoxicity;
bioactivity of dendritic amphiphilic compounds; and stabilization of biological
materials.
Also, as co-Director for the Center for Hydrate Research, we are also interested in many other aspects of gas hydrates, including: Flow Assurance, Hydrates in Nature, and Hydrogen Storage. Please visit the Center for Hydrate Research website to learn more about the research activities in these areas.
selected Publications
S. Leekumjorn, H. J. Cho, Y. Wu, N. T. Wright, A. K. Sum, and C. Chan, “The Role of Fatty Acid Unsaturation in Minimizing Biophysical Changes on the Structure and Local Effects of Bilayer Membranes,” Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Biomembranes, 1788,1508-1516 (2009). [DOI]
T. W. Sirk, E. F. Brown, A. K. Sum, and M. Friedman, “A Molecular Dynamics Study on the Biophysical Interactions of Seven Green Tea Catechins with Lipid Bilayers of Cell Membranes,” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 56 (17), 7750-7758 (2008). [DOI]
S. Leekumjorn and A. K. Sum, “Molecular Studies of the Gel to Liquid-Crystalline Phase Transition for Fully Hydrated DPPC and DPPE bilayers,” Biochimica et Biophysica Acta-Biomembranes, 1768 (2), 354-365 (2007). [DOI]
J. W. Lambert and A. K. Sum, “Molecular Dynamics Study of the Properties of Capsaicin in an 1-Octanol/Water System,” Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 110 (5), 2351-2357 (2006). [DOI]
A. K. Sum, R. Faller, and J. J. de Pablo, “Molecular Simulation Study of Phospholipid Bilayers and Insights of the Interactions with Disaccharides,” Biophysical Journal, 85 (5), 2830-2844 (2003). [BiophysJ]
A. K. Sum and S. I. Sandler, “A Novel Approach to Phase Equilibria Predictions Using Ab Initio Methods,” Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 38 (7), 2849-2855 (1999). [DOI]