BA, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México PhD, Cambridge University Advisory Committee, National Science Foundation Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate (2005-08) Solid State Science Committee, National Research Council, the National Academies (2006-09) Additional Awards and Honors Polymer theory; phase transformations; polyelectrolytes

Research Group Website

Multicomponent mixtures of complex molecules have competing interactions of different length scales which can be used to design a large variety of assemblies with important technological and biomedical applications. Oppositely charged biomolecules, such as polynucleotides and proteins, for example, co-assemble into functional units including nucleosomes and viruses at specific ionic concentrations. The driving force for association of oppositely charged macroions is counterion release and strong ionic correlations upon association. We analyze co-assemblies of cationic and anionic biological and synthetic molecules and their stability in different ionic media by using a combination of liquid theory and solid state physics techniques. We analyze the physical properties of mixtures of cationic and anionic amphiphiles co-assembled into lipid membranes, vesicles and micelles. We also analyze surface patterns induced by the adsorption of charged biomolecules onto oppositely charged surfaces, such as cationic proteins onto actin, and determine the attraction mechanism among surfaces with charge heterogeneities. We investigate the thermodynamics, statistics and dynamics of multicomponent molecular fluids including interface adsorption of minority components and phase segregation kinetics. In solutions containing copolymers, for example, the interface adsorption is enhanced and a large variety of structures with unique applications including inverted micelles for drug delivery are obtained.

Recent Publications

Y. S. Velichko and M. Olvera de la Cruz “Electrostatic attraction between cationic-anionic assemblies with surface compositional heterogeneities” ” J. Chem. Phys. 124, 214705-11 (2006).

H. Cheng and M. Olvera de la Cruz “Hydrophobic-Charged Block Copolymer Micelles Induced by Oppositely Charged Surfaces: Salt and pH Dependence”  Macromolecules 39, 1961-1970 (2006).

H. Cheng, K. Zhang, J. A. Libera, M. Olvera de la Cruz and M. J. Bedzyk “Polynucleotide Adsorption to Negatively Charged Surfaces in Divalent Salt Solutions” Biophysical Journal 90, 1164-1174 (2006).

F. J. Solis, S. I. Stupp and M. Olvera de la Cruz, “Charge Induced Pattern Formation on Surfaces: Segregation in Cylindrical Micelles of Cationic-Anionic Peptide-Amphiphiles,” J. Chem. Phys. 122 (5), 054905 (2005).

K. A. Smith, J. M. Ottino, and M. Olvera de la Cruz, “Dynamics of a Drop at a Fluid Interface Under Shear,” Phys. Rev. E 69 (4), 046302 (2004).

M. D. Lefebvre, M. Olvera de la Cruz, and K. R. Shull, “Phase Segregation in Gradient Copolymer Melts,” Macromolecules 37, 1118-1123 (2004).

A. Kudlay and M. Olvera de la Cruz, “Precipitation of Oppositely Charged Polyelectrolytes in Salt Solutions,” J. Chem. Phys. 120, 404-412 (2004).

Awards and Honors

• Advisory Committee, National Science Foundation Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate (2005-08)
• Solid State Science Committee, National Research Council, the National Academies (2006-09)
• Baetjer Lectures, Princeton University (2005)
• Visiting Professor, Service de Physique Theorique, Commissariat a l’Energie Atomique, CE-Saclay, France (2003) Fellow of the American Physical Society (2001) Scientific Member, Commissariat a l’Energie Atomique, CE-Saclay, France (1995-97) Visiting Scientist, Service de Chimie Moleculaire, Commissariat a l’Energie Atomique, CE-Saclay, France (1993)
• Presidential Young Investigator Award, National Science Foundation (1990-95)
• Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship (1990-92)
• David and Lucile Packard Fellowship (1989-94)
• FIRST Award, National Institutes of Health (1988-93)

Prof. Monica Olvera de la Cruz
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Northwestern University
2145 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208-3120

tel: 847/491-7801
fax: 847/491-3728
E-mail Professor Olvera