Biophysical Society Bulletin | January 2023

Biophysicist in Profile

“Because of this collaboration, we were able to establish the Molecular Biophysics Laboratory at UJI, doing experimental techniques that we learned at the NIH that we have applied to multiple systems that can be considered soft matter and bio interfaces, such as bacterial and mitochondrial channels, viral proteins, neuropeptides, cell penetrating peptides, nanopores, nanoparticles, etc.,” Alcaraz states. “Now we collaborate with physicists but also with molecular biologists, biochemists, virologists, and many others.” Now, as a full professor in the Department of Physics at UJI, he teaches basic physics to engineers, thermodynamics to chemists, and radio physics to medical students. “At the same time, I am principal investigator of several research projects related to molecular transport mechanisms in membranes induced by different types of proteins that can form ion channels—bacterial and mitochondrial proteins, neuropep tides, toxins, etc.,” he reports. “We do planar bilayer electro physiology that we combine with theoretical models based on physicochemical hydrodynamics and electrostatics and also atomistic simulations. I am particularly interested in proteins of virus forming ion channels—also called viroporins—that are essential for virus progression and pathogenesis. Inter estingly, we have been involved for years in the characteriza tion of the ion channels formed by the envelope protein E of SARS-CoV1, and now we are extending this investigation to the E protein of SARS-CoV2.” “One of the greatest satisfactions of my job is being able to work with students and observe their evolution. I believe that new ideas that challenge the established paradigms are total ly necessary so that there can be progress in any field, but it is especially important in biophysics given its interdisciplinary nature. I am very grateful to all my students.

They have taught me many things, forced me out of my com fort zone, and given me enthusiasm to work harder,” Alcaraz reveals. “In this sense, it is particularly meaningful when your students become your colleagues, as is the case with María Queralt-Martin , a former PhD student of mine who came back to our department after some years in the United States, also at the NIH. We have transitioned from a mentor-student rela tionship to colleagues who can ask each other for advice.” Asked where he sees biophysics going in the future, Alcaraz notes, “In a way, biophysics is unpredictable, so it is hard to say what challenges we will face. The COVID-19 pandemic is a good example of this. We should be adaptable to give an adequate response to the challenges of each moment, but at the same time maintain sufficient basic knowledge to face future problems that we still do not know will exist.” When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, reading, and cooking, in addition to running half-mara thons and biking. From left to right: Katia Nestorovich, Megha Rajendra, Aurora Perini, Antonio Alcaraz, Sergey Bezrukov, Vicente Aguilella, Tanya Rostovseva, Philip Gurnev, and Maria Quer alt-Martin.

Special Issue: Biophysics of immune cell signaling

Highlighting quantitative studies that advance our mechanistic understanding of immune cell function. The Journal welcomes submissions reporting progress in the mechanisms of immune cell signaling, with particular interest in those using advanced microscopy, computational modeling, synthetic biology, analytical methods, and/or other novel methodologies. Deadline for submissions: April 30, 2023 • To submit, visit www.biophysj.org

January 2023

5

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y