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Rafael C. Bernardi

@rcbernardi.bsky.social

100 followers 21 following 11 posts

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.

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Rafael C. Bernardi @rcbernardi.bsky.social · Feb 17

🚀 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...

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Rafael C. Bernardi @rcbernardi.bsky.social · 27d

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.

Reposted by Rafael C. Bernardi

Science X / Phys.org @sciencex.bsky.social · 27d

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

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Rafael C. Bernardi @rcbernardi.bsky.social · 27d

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

Reposted by Rafael C. Bernardi

Priscila Figueiredo Gomes @priscila-gomes.bsky.social · Sep 3

🦠 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/...

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Rafael C. Bernardi @rcbernardi.bsky.social · Sep 3

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.

www.science.org

Reposted by Rafael C. Bernardi

Priscila Figueiredo Gomes @priscila-gomes.bsky.social · May 19

🚨 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

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Rafael C. Bernardi @rcbernardi.bsky.social · Apr 28

Our newest paper is out!

Nature Microbiology @natmicrobiol.nature.com · Apr 25

🚨 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...

An expanded metabolic pathway for androgen production by commensal bacteria - Nature Microbiology

Bacterial enzymes synthesize androgens that could promote cancer cell progression interfering with the efficacy of steroid-targeted prostate cancer therapies.

www.nature.com

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Rafael C. Bernardi @rcbernardi.bsky.social · Mar 29

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...

www.eurekalert.org

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Rafael C. Bernardi @rcbernardi.bsky.social · Mar 27

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&#...

www.eurekalert.org

Rafael C. Bernardi @rcbernardi.bsky.social · Feb 19

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

Reposted by Rafael C. Bernardi

Priscila Figueiredo Gomes @priscila-gomes.bsky.social · Feb 19

Always exciting to hear from @eriklindahl.bsky.social #BPS2025 @biophysicalsoc.bsky.social

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Reposted by Rafael C. Bernardi

Priscila Figueiredo Gomes @priscila-gomes.bsky.social · Feb 18

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

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Rafael C. Bernardi @rcbernardi.bsky.social · Feb 18

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

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Reposted by Rafael C. Bernardi

Priscila Figueiredo Gomes @priscila-gomes.bsky.social · Feb 17

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

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Reposted by Rafael C. Bernardi

Priscila Figueiredo Gomes @priscila-gomes.bsky.social · Feb 17

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

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Reposted by Rafael C. Bernardi

Priscila Figueiredo Gomes @priscila-gomes.bsky.social · Feb 17

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

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Rafael C. Bernardi @rcbernardi.bsky.social · Feb 17

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

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Rafael C. Bernardi @rcbernardi.bsky.social · Feb 17

Hello. We already have test versions for Mac and Windows. We just did not publish them yet as they were not tested as much as we have been testing the LINUX builds. We should release for Mac and windows within the next month or two.

Rafael C. Bernardi @rcbernardi.bsky.social · Feb 17

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