Faculty Directory

Cell membrane biophysics, thermodynamics, and molecular simulations.

Professor Klauda's research interests encompass thermodynamic modeling and molecular simulations with applications in energy, gas separation, and biomolecular systems. Thermodynamic stability of natural gas hydrates (gas encapsulated by a water crystal lattice of cavities) requires high pressures. These are commonly found in pipelines and can plug the flow of natural gas, but also exist in nature in permafrost or the seafloor.  His thermodynamic/mass transfer modeling of methane hydrates in the seafloor suggests that there are three orders of magnitude more methane in hydrated form than in conventional global reserves. These results also have huge implications for an alternate source of natural gas reserves within the U.S. to reduce dependency on foreign energy sources. Moreover, this form of water offers a potential way to sequester carbon dioxide and efficiently separate gasses.

Professor Klauda's research in the bioarea is focused on understanding the behavior of cell membranes and how small molecules, such as sugars, cholesterol, and drugs are transported into and out of the cell. This work involves using molecular simulations to study cell membranes at an atomic level. Some fundamental research focuses on developing models to describe interactions between and within lipid molecules and probing the structure of model membranes. These models are then use to develop descriptions of cellular membranes from single-celled organisms (yeast and bacteria) to membranes in human cells (ocular lens and neuronal membranes). We also do research in membrane-associated proteins that are involved in molecule transport across the cellular membrane (secondary active transporters), lipid transport proteins between cellular organelles, ion-assistant membrane protein binding in cellular death, and signaling proteins involved in growth (plexin proteins).

Dr. Klauda is currently collaborating with experimental groups to better understand membrane function and dynamics at a molecular level, including Professor Mary Roberts (Boston College), Dr. Klaus Gawrisch (NIH), Arvind Balijepalli (NIST), Bryan Berger (U. Virginia) and Laura Jarboe (U. Iowa).

Professor Klauda's teaching interests include:

• Thermodynamics (CHBE 301, CHBE 302, ENCH 610)
• Statistics and Design of Experiments (CHBE 410)
• Molecular Simulation Methods (CHBE476)

see CV or Google Scholar page: Klauda