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Bussi Lab

@bussilab.org
321 followers 10 following 113 posts

Research group lead by @bussigio.bsky.social at SISSA | #RNA, #moleculardynamics, and more | web: bussilab.org

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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 16h
Our work presented at the poster session of the Erice School on Exploring and Quantifying Rough Free Energy Landscapes! @ollyfutur.bsky.social showed how we sample Mg2+-RNA binding in #MD, and Maurizio Gilioli shared our models of Influenza A virus nucleoproteins using #MD and #cryoEM data
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 28/09/2026
Congratulations to @sdimarco.bsky.social for successfully defending his PhD thesis "Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Flexible Biomolecules: Development of Enhanced Sampling Methods and Integration of Experimental Data"! Cosupervision with @magistratolab.bsky.social
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 28/09/2026
Congratulations to Giuseppe Sacco for successfully defending his PhD thesis "Data-driven models for RNA: physical and statistical approaches to secondary structure, RNA–protein interactions, and siRNA potency"! Cosupervision with Guido Sanguinetti
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 28/09/2026
Our study on the investigation of the microscopic origins of partial molar volumes in LiCl solutions, in collaboration with Ali Hassanali and Paul Cremer groups, has been published in @acsjacs.bsky.social ! doi.org/10.1021/jacs...
doi.org
Beyond the Virial Expansion: Microscopic Origins of Partial Molar Volumes in LiCl Solutions
Abstract. Although electrolyte density measurements have been reported for over a century, employing them to determine accurate partial molar volume (PMV)
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 24/09/2026
Our study of the pH-dependent Mn²⁺-sensing alx riboswitch, in collaboration with @nilswalterlab.bsky.social and Tatiana Mishanina’s lab, has been published in @narjournal.bsky.social doi.org/10.1093/nar/... Summary in preprint thread 👉 bsky.app/profile/buss...
doi.org
Validate User
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 24/09/2026
Our MERGE-RNA manuscript, led by Giuseppe Sacco, in collaboration with Guido Sanguinetti and Redmond Smyth's lab, has been published in @narjournal.bsky.social doi.org/10.1093/nar/... Summary in preprint thread 👉 bsky.app/profile/buss...
doi.org
Validate User
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 16/08/2026
Work by Vojtech Mlynksy, Pavel Banas, et al, with contributions from @bussigio.bsky.social, showing the reformulation of gHBfix19 using Lennard Jones potential has been published in JCTC! doi.org/10.1021/acs....
doi.org
From gHBfix to NBfix: Reweighting-Driven Refinement of Hydrogen-Bond Interactions in RNA Force Fields
Abstract. Understanding RNA structural dynamics is essential for elucidating its biological functions, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations provide an i
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 09/07/2026
We provide @plumed.org plugins implementing the method, compatible with any MD engine supporting multiple communicating replicas (e.g., #GROMACS, #AMBER, etc). No coordinate replica exchange required.
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 09/07/2026
Combining simulations with #cryoEM, we validate individual Mg²⁺ binding motifs and identify sampling as a key ingredient for quantitative agreement with experiment. The remaining discrepancies highlight opportunities for further improvements in #RNA ion modelling.
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 09/07/2026
Mg²⁺ binds RNA on timescales far beyond conventional MD. We use a carefully crafter replica exchange scheme to accelerate inner-shell binding by orders of magnitude, making it possible to sample complex binding motifs while preserving equilibrium statistics.
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 09/07/2026
New #preprint alert! Fast sampling of #RNA–Mg²⁺ binding. @ollyfutur.bsky.social, Elisa Posani and @bussigio.bsky.social present an enhanced-sampling method, extending our top-performing #CASP16 approach, and validate it with #cryoEM. arxiv.org/abs/2607.07186 Summary in thread👇
arxiv.org
Enhanced sampling and cryo-EM data resolve magnesium binding to RNA
Magnesium ions are essential for RNA structure but difficult to model due to slow binding kinetics and experimental limitations. We present an enhanced-sampling strategy that accelerates Mg$^{2+}$ inn...
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 18/06/2026
Using both an analytically tractable model and #RNA ensemble refinement, we compare different measures. The choice can substantially affect Bayesian estimates. The Jeffreys measure proves particularly robust to trajectory decimation while providing an invariant definition of posterior averages.
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 18/06/2026
Most ensemble-refinement studies focus on a single optimal (MAP) ensemble. Bayesian posterior sampling also provides uncertainty estimates and posterior averages for arbitrary observables. However, it requires an explicit ensemble-counting measure, whose consequences have received little attention.
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 18/06/2026
New #preprint alert! How should we count molecular ensembles in #Bayesian ensemble refinement? Ivan Gilardoni and @bussigio.bsky.social show that this choice affects posterior estimates, and propose an invariant solution based on the Jeffreys measure. arxiv.org/abs/2606.18495 Summary in thread 👇
arxiv.org
Bayesian Sampling of Structural Ensembles: The Role of Ensemble-Counting Measures
Structural ensemble refinement is widely used to integrate molecular simulations with experimental measurements. While most applications focus on the maximum-a-posteriori (MAP) ensemble, Bayesian samp...
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Reposted by Bussi Lab
Francesca Cuturello @fra-cutu.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Excited to announce our pre-print on the detection of PPI interfaces using ESM3!!! Big thanks to the very young and talented authors www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
biorxiv.org
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 05/06/2026
Our work presented today at an internal seminar at Sanofi, Paris, hosted by Evi Gkeka. @bussigio.bsky.social presented our applications integrating #MD simulations and RNA secondary structure prediction with #NMR, #SAXS, #cryoEM, and #DMS data, to reconstruct #RNA dynamics and RNA-Mg interaction
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 05/06/2026
Our work presented today at the @cecamevents.bsky.social meeting Decoding Allostery in Protein-Nucleic Acid Complexes: The AI Revolution ! www.cecam.org/workshop-det... Maurizio Gilioli discussed our study of Influenza A Virus nucleoproteins using #MD simulations and #cryoEM data
cecam.org
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 04/06/2026
Our work presented today at the @cecamevents.bsky.social meeting Decoding Allostery in Protein-Nucleic Acid Complexes: The AI Revolution www.cecam.org/workshop-det...! @bussigio.bsky.social will show how we integrate #DMS probing and #cryoEM with computational models for #RNA dynamics
cecam.org
CECAM - Decoding Allostery in Protein-Nucleic Acid Complexes: The AI Revolution
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 28/05/2026
Our work presented at the @rnasociety.bsky.social meeting in Montreal! @ollyfutur.bsky.social and @sdimarco.bsky.social are presenting posters showing how we use enhanced molecular simulations to sample #Mg ion binding and #RNA conformational changes
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 24/04/2026
New #openreview from our group at prereview.org/reviews/1973...! @bussigio.bsky.social reviewed a #preprint by @jgreener64.bsky.social and coworkers on the training of a new force field from scratch using quantum mechanical and experimental data. Also available at doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
prereview.org
PREreview of “Training a force field for proteins and small molecules from scratch”
Authored by Giovanni Bussi
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 23/04/2026
📢 Apply for the #PhD 🎓 in Molecular and Statistical Biophysics at SISSA in lovely Trieste! 3 fully funded fellowships starting Oct 2026. ~8 months of classes, then choose your project. Remote entrance exam. Application deadline: 11.5.2026. Please repost! 👉 msb.sissa.it/join-us/ #joinus
msb.sissa.it
Join us – Molecular and Statistical Biophysics
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 22/04/2026
New #preprint alert! @bussigio.bsky.social contributed to a mixed experimental-simulation paper from the groups of Ali Hassanali and Paul Cremer investigating the microscopic origins of partial molar volumes in LiCl solutions arxiv.org/abs/2604.19622
arxiv.org
Beyond the Virial Expansion: Microscopic Origins of Partial Molar Volumes in LiCl Solutions
Although electrolyte density measurements have been reported for over a century, employing them to obtain accurate partial molar volume (PMV) profiles as a function of salt concentration has remained ...
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 09/04/2026
Want to contribute to a major #opensource project for molecular simulations? We’re opening a research technologist position at SISSA (Trieste) to work on @plumed.org (scientific coding / #HPC) within the #RNAScale project. Fill the expression of interest form: www.bussilab.org/rnascale #joinus
bussilab.org
RNAScale
Exploring RNA Dynamics across Scales
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 25/03/2026
New paper published! @bussigio.bsky.social contributed to a work led by Zhengyue Zhang @astrazeneca.com where #RNA secondary-structure prediction methods were benchmarked in the context of #RNA-targeted #drugdiscovery. doi.org/10.1021/acs....
doi.org
Exploring Secondary Structure Predictions for RNA-Targeted Drug Discovery: Power and Challenges
RNAs are increasingly recognized as promising drug targets, as both coding and noncoding RNAs act as key regulators in disease-related biological processes. However, a significant gap persists between...
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 25/03/2026
New #preprint alert! @bussigio.bsky.social contributed to a work led by Vojtech Mlysnky, Pavel Banas et al, where hydrogen bond fixes for #RNA force field (ghbfix19) were reformulated as more portable Lennard-Jones fixes doi.org/10.64898/202...
doi.org
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Giovanni Bussi @bussigio.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
Undergraduate student interested in molecular dynamics, quantum chemistry, or ML for materials? Join the @cecamevents.bsky.social Summer School at SISSA (Trieste), June 22–July 3, 2026. Designed specifically for beginners. Details & apply: www.cecam.org/workshop-det...
cecam.org
CECAM - Summer School on Molecular Dynamics for Materials Science, Nanotechnology, and Biophysics
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 26/02/2026
Our review on atomistic simulations of #RNA systems has been published in the Annual Reviews of Physical Chemistry! doi.org/10.1146/annu... Preprint and summary in previous thread: bsky.app/profile/buss...
doi.org
RNA Dynamics and Interactions Revealed Through Atomistic Simulations
RNA function is deeply intertwined with its conformational dynamics. In this review, we survey recent advances in the use of atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to characterize RNA dynamics in di...
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 26/02/2026
Our #tutorial on how to make @plumed.org faster is now published in @acs.org #JPCB! doi.org/10.1021/acs.... Preprint and summary in previous thread: bsky.app/profile/buss...
doi.org
Making PLUMED Fly: A Tutorial on Optimizing Performance
PLUMED is an open-source software package that is widely used for analyzing and enhancing molecular dynamics simulations that works in conjunction with most available molecular dynamics softwares. Whi...
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 19/02/2026
Together, the work defines how an RNA #aptamer integrates metal and proton cues for combinatorial environmental sensing.
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 19/02/2026
These models complement single-molecule #FRET experiments revealing pH-tuned conformational sampling, as well as functional in vivo assays showing that both the Mn²⁺-binding core and the pH-sensitive loop are required for maximal activation.
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 19/02/2026
Using conventional and constant-pH #MD simulations, we identified a pH-dependent alternative base-pairing interaction in a loop that allosterically perturbs the Mn²⁺-binding site and remodels the conformational ensemble.
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 19/02/2026
The alx aptamer uniquely integrates two orthogonal signals — Mn²⁺ and cytoplasmic pH — to control gene expression.
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 19/02/2026
New #preprint alert! @bussigio.bsky.social and @tf-silva.bsky.social from our group contributed to an experimental investigation of the pH-dependent Mn²⁺-sensing alx riboswitch, in collaboration with @nilswalterlab.bsky.social and Tatiana Mishanina’s lab. doi.org/10.64898/202...
doi.org
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 12/02/2026
Our work presented today at the #PhysicsOfBiomolecules workshop in Bressanone sites.unimi.it/bressanone/! @sdimarco.bsky.social will show our attempts to make replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations more effective for sampling #RNA conformations
sites.unimi.it
Bressanone Workshop – 9th Workshop
9th Workshop
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 11/02/2026
Our work presented today at the #PhysicsOfBiomolecules workshop in Bressanone sites.unimi.it/bressanone/! @ollyfutur.bsky.social will show our enhanced sampling MD for #RNA-Mg2+ binding, its application to an intron used as a target for #CASP16, and validation of results against #cryoEM data
sites.unimi.it
Bressanone Workshop – 9th Workshop
9th Workshop
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 10/02/2026
Our work presented today at the #PhysicsOfBiomolecules workshop in Bressanone sites.unimi.it/bressanone/! @bussigio.bsky.social will show our recent results on combining #DMS and thermodynamics to get #RNA ensembles. See also our recent #preprint arxiv.org/abs/2512.20581
sites.unimi.it
Bressanone Workshop – 9th Workshop
9th Workshop
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 03/02/2026
New #openreview from our group at prereview.org/reviews/1847...! @bussigio.bsky.social and @sdimarco.bsky.social reviewed a #preprint by Pavel Banas and coworkers on the evaluation of enhanced sampling methods for force field benchmarking. Also available at doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
doi.org
PREreview of "Toward Accurate RNA Folding Thermodynamics: Evaluation of Enhanced Sampling Methods for Force Field Benchmarking"
This Zenodo record is a permanently preserved version of a PREreview. You can view the complete PREreview at https://prereview.org/reviews/18475062. Preprint Toward Accurate RNA Folding Thermodynamics...
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 27/01/2026
Our review on Machine Learning for #RNA Secondary Structure Prediction is now published in @rnajournal.bsky.social ! dx.doi.org/10.1261/rna.... Summary in this previous thread bsky.app/profile/buss...
dx.doi.org
Machine Learning for RNA Secondary Structure Prediction: a review of current methods and challenges
A monthly journal publishing high-quality, peer-reviewed research on all topics related to RNA and its metabolism in all organisms
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 24/12/2025
Anyone looking for a Christmas reading? We plan to submit in January, feedback welcome 🎄🎅
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 24/12/2025
We develop a method to reconstruct RNA 2D ensembles based on nano-DMS-MaP data! Correlation as not measured from data, but rather inferred via a physics based model, which describes also RNA-probe interaction and can be straightforwardly extended to multiple reagents
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 24/12/2025
New #preprint alert! 🧬 MERGE-RNA: a physics-based model to predict #RNA secondary structure ensembles with chemical probing, lead by Giuseppe Sacco, in collaboration with Guido Sanguinetti and Redmond Smyth's lab arxiv.org/abs/2512.20581
arxiv.org
MERGE-RNA: a physics-based model to predict RNA secondary structure ensembles with chemical probing
The function of RNA molecules is deeply related to their secondary structure, which determines which nucleobases are accessible for pairing. Most RNA molecules however function through dynamic and het...
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 10/12/2025
Our work presented today at the XBW2025 workshop homepage.uni-graz.at/de/georg.pab...! Maurizio Gilioli presented our recent #MD simulations of nucleoproteins from influenza A virus
homepage.uni-graz.at
19th Christmas Biophysics Workshop - Pabst, Georg, Assoz. Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.
XBW 2025
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Reposted by Bussi Lab
Molecular Ocean Lab @molecularocean.bsky.social · 06/12/2025
📣 New preprint out! We are zooming in on the molecular determinants and energetics that limit PETase activity on crystalline PET: it requires high energy both to reach reactive configurations and to separate its chains. Feedback is welcome. Submission in two weeks. lnkd.in/d3MCJhEg
biorxiv.org
Energetic Constraints in the Enzymatic Depolymerization of Crystalline PET
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a widely used thermoplastic whose high crystallinity poses a major barrier to upscaling enzymatic recycling. While PETases with high activity and stability have bee...
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 28/11/2025
If you are interested in joining the project as a postdoctoral researcher in computational RNA biophysics, integrative modelling, molecular dynamics, HPC, software development, or related areas, #joinus at www.bussilab.org/fis3
bussilab.org
RNAScale
Exploring RNA Dynamics across Scales
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 28/11/2025
A key component will be the further development and benchmarking of methods within @plumed.org , our community-driven platform for enhanced sampling and integrative molecular simulations, providing efficient high-performance workflows.
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 28/11/2025
The project includes a strong link with Redmond Smyth (CNRS), whose expertise in virology and chemical probing will be central to integrating modelling with experimental virology.
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 28/11/2025
This is a large, ERC-scale initiative aimed at developing new methodologies for RNA modelling by integrating chemical probing data with state-of-the-art simulations. The applied focus will be on understanding the genome architecture of Influenza A, in close connection with experiment.
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 28/11/2025
🎉Our group has been awarded a prestigious #FIS grant! #RNAScale - Exploring RNA Dynamics across Scales: From Base Pairs to Viral Genomes 👉 www.bussilab.org/fis3 We will soon open postdoctoral positions across several components of the project! An expression-of-interest form is already online.
bussilab.org
RNAScale
Exploring RNA Dynamics across Scales
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Das Lab @rdaslab.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
#MD blind predictions of water/ions around Tetrahymena ribozyme #RNA matched cryo-EM data better than our baselines! Congrats #CASP16 + @rachael-kretsch.bsky.social + 23 brave groups. Still a ways to go — time for #DeepLearning of water? Community paper: doi.org/10.1002/prot...
R1260 CASP target, water and ions around RNA. Ground truth on left, blind prediction from SoutheRNA MD simulations on right.
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Bussi Lab @bussilab.org · 08/11/2025
The work describing the #CASP16 solvation challenge has been published in Proteins journal! doi.org/10.1002/prot...
doi.org
Blind Prediction of Complex Water and Ion Ensembles Around RNA in CASP16
Biomolecules rely on water and ions for stable folding, but these interactions are often transient, dynamic, or disordered and thus hidden from experiments and evaluation challenges that represent bi....
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