Oleksiy Tkachenko
Physicist, Theory/Computation, Center for Functional Nanomaterials
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Center for Functional Nanomaterials
Bldg. 735, Room 2017
P.O. Box 5000
Upton, NY 11973-5000
(631) 344-2130
oleksiyt@bnl.gov
Expertise | Research | Education | Appointments | Publications | Highlights | Video
Expertise
Statistical Physics, Theoretical Soft Condensed Matter, Self-Assembly, Molecular Dynamics and Monte Carlo Simulations
Research Activities
By combining analytical methods of statistical physics with computer simulations Dr. Tkachenko explores the area of Programmable Self-Assembly. His other interests span across various fields of statistical mechanics, condensed matter, and bio-inspired physics, from Entropic Phenomena to Origins of Life, and (motivated by recent events) Epidemic Modeling.
Education
1993 - B.Sc/M.Sc in Theoretical Physics, Moscow Institute of Science and Technology, Russia
1998 - Ph. D in Physics, Bar-Ilan University, Israel
Professional Appointments
Current: Physicist / Material Scientist , Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory
Adjunct Professor, Dept. of Physics and astronomy, Stony Brook University
2001-2009 Assistant Professor of Physics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
1999-2001 Postdoctoral member of technical staff, Bell Labs, Lucent Technologies
1997-1999 JFI Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Chicago
Synergistic Activities
May 2022, Stony Brook U., NY Co-chair (with O.Gang, M. Holmes-Cerfon, K. Kasza), Simons Center Workshop
“Geometry, Topology, and Symmetry in Soft and Living Matter”
2012-2016; 2024-current Coordinator, Internal CFN research seminar
2015-2016 Coordinator, Summer Sunday at CFN
June-July 2013, NYC, NY Co-chair (with O.Gang and P. Chaikin), Conference "Programmable Self-Assembly of Matter"
Selected Publications
- Tkachenko AV, Maslov S, Elbanna A, Wong GN, Weiner ZJ, Goldenfeld N (2021) Time-dependent heterogeneity leads to transient suppression of the COVID-19 epidemic, not herd immunity. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 118:e2015972118. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2015972118
- Kudella PW, Tkachenko AV, Salditt A, Maslov S, Braun D (2021) Structured sequences emerge from random pool when replicated by templated ligation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 118:e2018830118. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2018830118
- Wendt D, Bozin E, Neuefeind J, Page K, Ku W, Wang L, Fultz B, Tkachenko AV, Zaliznyak IA (2019) Entropic elasticity and negative thermal expansion in a simple cubic crystal. Science Advances. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aay2748
- Tkachenko AV, Maslov S (2018) Onset of natural selection in populations of autocatalytic heteropolymers. The Journal of Chemical Physics 149:134901. doi: 10.1063/1.5048488
- Tkachenko AV (2016) Generic phase diagram of binary superlattices. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 113:10269–10274. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1525358113
- Liu W, Tagawa M, Xin HL, Wang T, Emamy H, Li H, Yager KG, Starr FW, Tkachenko AV, Gang O (2016) Diamond family of nanoparticle superlattices. Science 351:582–586. doi: 10.1126/science.aad2080
- Halverson JD, Tkachenko AV (2013) DNA-programmed mesoscopic architecture. Physical Review E. doi: 10.1103/physreve.87.062310
- Dreyfus R, Leunissen ME, Sha R, Tkachenko AV, Seeman NC, Pine DJ, Chaikin PM (2009) Simple Quantitative Model for the Reversible Association of DNA Coated Colloids. Physical Review Letters. doi: 10.1103/physrevlett.102.048301
- Licata NA, Tkachenko AV (2008) Kinetic Limitations of Cooperativity-Based Drug Delivery Systems. Physical Review Letters. doi: 10.1103/physrevlett.100.158102
- Sander LM, Tkachenko AV (2004) Kinetic Pinning and Biological Antifreezes. Physical Review Letters. doi: 10.1103/physrevlett.93.128102
- Tkachenko AV (2002) Morphological Diversity of DNA-Colloidal Self-Assembly. Physical Review Letters. doi: 10.1103/physrevlett.89.148303
- Aizenberg J, Tkachenko A, Weiner S, Addadi L, Hendler G (2001) Calcitic microlenses as part of the photoreceptor system in brittlestars. Nature 412:819–822. doi: 10.1038/35090573
- Josserand C, Tkachenko AV, Mueth DM, Jaeger HM (2000) Memory Effects in Granular Materials. Physical Review Letters 85:3632–3635. doi: 10.1103/physrevlett.85.3632
- Tkachenko AV, Witten TA (1999) Stress propagation through frictionless granular material. Physical Review E 60:687–696. doi: 10.1103/physreve.60.687
Research Highlights
Model Suggests How Ancient RNA May Have Gained Self-Cutting Ability Essential for Life
Suppression of COVID-19 Waves Reflects Time-Dependent Social Activity, Not Herd Immunity
The Secret Behind Crystals that Shrink when Heated
New Polymer Model Helps Explain the Origins of Life
A General Model Explains Binary Nanoparticle Assembly
DNA Shaping Up to be Ideal Framework for Rationally Designed Nanostructures
Scientists Guide Gold Nanoparticles to Form "Diamond" Superlattices
New Computer Model Could Explain how Simple Molecules Took First Step Toward Life
Resolving the Internal Structure of Nanoparticle Dimers Linked by DNA
DNA-Guided Assembly Yields Novel Ribbon-Like Nanostructures
Brookhaven Researchers Use Weekends to Teach Math and Physics at SchoolNova
Expanding the Degrees of Surface Freezing
Featured Video
Empire State Building & Pyramids Self-assemble from Nanoparicles
August 16, 2013
This is a computer simulation that shows how a complex nanoscale structure can build itself (self-assemble) out of nanoparticles with short DNA molecules attached to them. In this particular case, we engineered a couple of nano-replicas of the Empire State Building and Egyptian Pyramids. The sequences and positions of DNA molecules "program" the overall architecture and the whole construction process. Important Disclaimer: this is a computer model, it will take some time for the actual experiments to catch up. This video illustrates the research project by Drs. Alexei Tkachenko and Jonathan Halverson at the Brookhaven National Laboratory. More technical detail can be found in recent paper, "DNA-programmed mesoscopic architecture", Phys. Rev. E 87, 062310 (2013)
Simulated DNA-based programmable self-assembly of nanoparticles into "Empire State Building" and "Nanopyramid".
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Center for Functional Nanomaterials
Bldg. 735, Room 2017
P.O. Box 5000
Upton, NY 11973-5000
(631) 344-2130
oleksiyt@bnl.gov
