Horia Petrache, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Physics

Horia Petrache received a Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University in 1998. His primary area of research involves measurement of molecular interactions within biomembranes using X-ray scattering, NMR spectroscopy, calorimetry and other physical methods.

Petrache’s research aims to explain how membrane physical properties are implicated in diverse processes such as brain and lung function, secretion in the liver and hydration of the skin. He hopes to explain how interactions between lipids and membrane proteins govern the function of biomembranes.

Petrache’s most recent publications include:
Petrache HI, Zemb T, Belloni L, and Parsegian VA (2006) Salt Screening and Specific Ion Adsorption Determine Neutral-Lipid Membrane Interactions. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 103, 7982-7987.
Gondre-Lewis MC, Petrache HI, Wassif CA, Harries D, Parsegian A, Porter FD, and Loh YP (2006) Abnormal Sterols in Cholesterol-Deficiency Diseases Cause Secretory Granule Malformation and Decreased Membrane Curvature. J. Cell Science, 119, 1876-1885.
Petrache HI, Tristram-Nagle S, Harries D, Kucerka N, Nagle JF, and Parsegian VA (2006) Swelling of Phospholipids by Monovalent Salt. J. Lipid Res. 47, 302-309.