I’m very honored to be selected for the 2026 Early Career Award from the Biophysical Society’s Theory & Computation Subgroup. I want to thank the colleagues who nominated and supported me, as well as the committee for this recognition.
Rafael C. Bernardi
@rcbernardi.bsky.social
Biophysicist exploring the mechanobiology of bacterial adhesion and protein interactions. Associate Professor at Auburn University. Contributor to NAMD, VMD, and QwikMD. Computational modeling, molecular dynamics, and single-molecule force spectroscopy.
AI-driven molecular simulations show that catch-bonds in proteins activate almost immediately when force is applied, offering new insights for biomaterial and drug design under mechanical stress. doi.org/g93fwq
AI uncovers hidden rules of some of nature's toughest protein bonds
Imagine tugging on a Chinese finger trap. The harder you pull, the tighter it grips. This counterintuitive behavior also exists in biology.
phys.org
Very nice work from my colleague here at Auburn. Electrode-Assisted Switching in Memristors Based on Single-Crystal Transition Metal Dichalcogenides | ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
Electrode-Assisted Switching in Memristors Based on Single-Crystal Transition Metal Dichalcogenides
The recently demonstrated nonvolatile resistive switching in transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) exhibits very different responses depending on the crystal quality, and the underlying mechanisms a...
pubs.acs.org
🦠 Our new work just got published in Science Advances! Why Staphylococcus aureus clings so hard to skin. 👉 SdrD–Desmoglein-1 = the strongest protein bond ever measured — stronger than superglue! 🔗 Calcium (Ca²⁺) makes it even tougher. Read: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Probably the most comprehensive work I’ve ever been part of is now out in Science Advances! 🚀 We uncovered how Staphylococcus aureus sticks to human skin with record-breaking strength — and how calcium is the key regulator. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Ultrastrong Staphylococcus aureus adhesion to human skin: Calcium as a key regulator of noncovalent interactions
Calcium ions stabilize one of the strongest known noncovalent biological interactions.
science.org
🚨 Applications are open for the 63rd Hands-on Workshop on Computational Biophysics at Auburn University! 📍 Auburn University | 📅 Aug 4–8, 2025 🔬 Learn #NAMD, #VMD from experts in #moleculardynamics 👩💻 In-person | Free to apply | 35 spots only ⏳ Deadline: June 20 🔗 aub.ie/Workshop2025
Our newest paper is out!
Nature Microbiology@natmicrobiol.nature.com · last yr.🚨 Read now! Bacterial enzymes synthesize androgens that could promote cancer cell progression interfering with the efficacy of steroid-targeted prostate cancer therapies. #MicroSky #MicrobiomeSky #CancerSky 🦠 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Auburn and FIOCRUZ tackle the rising global c | EurekAlert! www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
Auburn and FIOCRUZ tackle the rising global challenge of Chagas Disease
In a groundbreaking collaboration, researchers from Auburn University and Brazil's FIOCRUZ have published a study in Biochemistry that unveils new details on how the Chagas Disease parasite invade...
eurekalert.org
My friend and colleague, Dr. Michael Gramlich, got some cool results published this week. www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
Auburn University scientists unlock a key mystery in brain function and understanding Alzheimer’s disease
In a landmark study at Auburn University, researchers have unveiled a groundbreaking discovery about how brain cells use simple physics to maintain vital connections, shedding new light on Alzheimer&#...
eurekalert.org
Proud to have presented our latest work at #BPS2025 today! Great discussions on mechanostability, bacterial adhesion, and molecular biophysics. Exciting times for our research! @biophysicalsoc.bsky.social
Come by my poster B489 this afternoon or come see my talk at 4pm at room 515B and hear all about staph adhesins and their impact in antibiotic resistance 😌 @biophysicalsoc.bsky.social @rcbernardi.bsky.social #BPS2025
Huge success for #VMD2 on Monday! This Tuesday at #BPS2025, we’re showing how VMD2 & NAMD3 power our mechanobiology research. Dont miss: @priscila-gomes.bsky.social Molecular Dynamics Platform (4PM, Rm 515B); Me: Multiscale Biophysical Modeling Workshop (8:45PM, Rm 515A) @biophysicalsoc.bsky.social
Come see my poster B-28 around 3pm at the JUST-B poster session! Excited to chat about mechanobiology, MD simulations and bacterial resistance ✌🏻 @biophysicalsoc.bsky.social #BPS2025
Wanna try #VMD2 ? Look for these guys at the poster session this afternoon! They will be around B511 showing off the new cool features of VMD 2.0 @biophysicalsoc.bsky.social #BPS2025 🫶🏻✌🏻 @rcbernardi.bsky.social @diegoenry.bsky.social
Curious about #VMD2 ? Stop by Diego’s poster B511 this afternoon and hear all about the new cool features in molecular visualization with the new VMD 2.0!! @biophysicalsoc.bsky.social #BPS2025
VMD 2.0 at @biophysicalsoc.bsky.social 2025. In Los Angeles? Stop by Diego Enry Barreto Gomes’ poster (B511) today to chat about new VMD 2.0 features! Huge thanks to Shao-Chian Chen, John Stone, Barry Isralewitz, Emad Tajkhorshid, and NIH/NSF for making this possible! 🔬✨ #VMD2 #BPS2025
🚀 First Bluesky Post! 🎉 VMD 2.0 Alpha is here! Released today at BPS 2025, this is the biggest update in 30 years—new UI, real-time ray tracing, fast surfaces, UHD & touchscreen support. Monthly updates coming in 2025! Try it now! #VMD #BPS2025 #MolecularVisualization www.ks.uiuc.edu/Research/vmd...
