![Bernd Michael Rode](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/70/Bernd_Michael_Rode.jpg)
Bernd Michael Rode (July 14, 1946 – August 28, 2022) was an Austrian professor of chemistry at the
University of Innsbruck
The University of Innsbruck (german: Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck; la, Universitas Leopoldino Franciscea) is a public research university in Innsbruck, the capital of the Austrian federal state of Tyrol, founded on October 15, 1669.
...
and founder of the
Austrian-South-East-Asian Academic University Network (ASEA-UNINET). Prof. Rode retired in 2011 but remained actively involved in teaching and research as well as in the thesis supervision.
Biography
In 1964 Bernd Michael Rode graduated from high school (“Akademisches Gymnasium Innsbruck”) and commenced studies in chemistry at the University of Innsbruck. In 1973 he received his Ph.D. degree in chemistry with
sub auspiciis praesidentis from the University of Innsbruck.
In 1973 Prof. Rode started his career as an assistant professor at the Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry of the University of Innsbruck. After research stays in Germany (
University of Stuttgart
The University of Stuttgart (german: Universität Stuttgart) is a leading research university located in Stuttgart, Germany. It was founded in 1829 and is organized into 10 faculties. It is one of the oldest technical universities in Germany wit ...
and
University of Karlsruhe
The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT; german: Karlsruher Institut für Technologie) is a public research university in Karlsruhe, Germany. The institute is a national research center of the Helmholtz Association.
KIT was created in 2009 w ...
) he became an associate professor in Innsbruck in the year 1976. After spending a 1-year research stay at the University of Tokyo, Prof. Rode started his professorship at the Institute of Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry at the University of Innsbruck. From 2006 to 2011 he was head of the Department of Theoretical Chemistry and head of the Institute for General Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry.
One of Prof. Rode’s largest achievements was the foundation of the University Network ASEA-UNINET (Austrian South East Asian University Partnership Network) in 1994. The foundations for this network were laid by informal contacts between the University of Innsbruck and Thai Universities that date back to the 1970s. In the 1980s partnerships between the University of Innsbruck, the University of Vienna, the University of Agricultural Sciences Vienna, the Chulalongkorn University, the Mahidol University, the Kasetsart University and the Chiang Mai University were concluded. With the target to unify these bilateral partnership agreements into one multilateral network, Prof. Rode invited interested Universities from Austria, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam to participate in the first ASEA-UNINET Plenary Meeting in Ho Chi Minh City. In 1994 the network comprised 25 Universities from Austria, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. As of June 2014, more than 70 Universities from 16 European and South-East-Asian countries participate in the network.
In addition to his scientific and networking activities, Prof. Rode served during the periods 1998–2001 and 2005–2008 as vice-president in the
(UNCSTD) representing the WEOG states EU, USA, Canada and Australia. In 2004 he became the first Ausrian, to serve as president in the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development.
Awards and decorations
For his commitment in Asian countries Prof. Rode has received many awards, amongst others the Honorary Doctorate Degree in Sciences of the Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok (1995), the Honorary Doctorate Degree in Sciences of the King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology, Ladkrabang, Bangkok (1998) and the Honorary Doctorate Degree in Sciences of the Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia (2000). In 2007 the King of Thailand, awarded Prof. Rode with the Knight Grand Cross (First Class), the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand, for his activities and achievements to intensify the European-Asian scientific collaborations. In 2008 the Comenius University Bratislava awarded him an Honorary Doctorate Degree for his pioneer work in quantum chemistry studies of molecule and super molecule systems of ion solvation and molecular modelling of biomolecules and medicaments. In 2014 he was appointed Honorary President of ASEA-UNINET.
Overview most important Awards and Decorations:
* 1985 Goldenes Ehrenzeichen, Republic of Austria
* 1994
Austrian Decoration for Science and Art
The Austrian Decoration for Science and Art (german: Österreichisches Ehrenzeichen für Wissenschaft und Kunst) is a state decoration of the Republic of Austria and forms part of the Austrian national honours system.
History
The "Austrian D ...
, Republic of Austria
* 1997 Honorary Member, Slovak Chemical Society
* 2003 Cross of Merits, State of Tyrol
* 2004 Cross of Merits, Austria
* 2007 Cross of Honours in Science and Arts first class, Republic of Austria
* 2008 Jan-Weber-Medal of the Slovak Pharmaceutical Society
* 2010 Sitara-e-Qaid-i-Azam (
Civil decoration of Pakistan)
* 2011 Knight Grand Cross (First Class of The Most Exalted
Order of the White Elephant
__NOTOC__
The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant ( th, เครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์อันเป็นที่เชิดชูยิ่งช้างเผือก; ) is an order (decoration), orde ...
with Slash)
According to the Theoretical Chemistry Genealogy Project, Bernd Michael Rode is the most successful doctoral thesis supervisor of German-speaking countries in the field of Theoretical Chemistry.
[University of Innsbruck:]
Erfolgreicher Doktorvater
', published by: iPoint - das Informationsportal der Unviversität Innsbruck on February 1, 2013, retrieved on June 16, 2014 Between 1976 and 2011 Prof. Rode has led not less than 70 students to their Ph.D. degree. Due to his close contacts to South-East-Asia many of them come from Asian countries.
Research activities
Bernd M. Rode’s scientific achievements are reflected in seven monographies / books, more than 440 publications in international research journals and 30 book contributions. According to ISI Thomson's Web of Science citation report these contributions received more than 8300 citations (as of May 2014) with a
Hirsch-index of 41.
Prof. Rode's research focus lies in Theoretical and Computational as well as Bioinorganic Chemistry. In detail his publications emphasise on the following aspects:
* Quantum chemical calculations of molecular and supermolecular systems,
* Ab initio Monte Carlo and MD simulations of liquids / solutions,
* Electrolyte solution structure,
* Ultrafast Dynamics of solutes,
* Molecular Modelling of biomolecules and drugs,
* QSAR / QSPR,
* Chemical Evolution of Peptides/ Proteins and Origin of Life
Theoretical chemistry
![Sn snapshot](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a8/Sn_snapshot.png)
Although Prof. Rode's initial research activities were in field of inorganic chemistry, he soon extended his expertise into the rapidly developing field of
theoretical
A theory is a rational type of abstract thinking about a phenomenon, or the results of such thinking. The process of contemplative and rational thinking is often associated with such processes as observational study or research. Theories may be ...
and
computational chemistry
Computational chemistry is a branch of chemistry that uses computer simulation to assist in solving chemical problems. It uses methods of theoretical chemistry, incorporated into computer programs, to calculate the structures and properties of m ...
. Whereas in the beginning most studies focused on
quantum chemical
Quantum chemistry, also called molecular quantum mechanics, is a branch of physical chemistry focused on the application of quantum mechanics to chemical systems, particularly towards the quantum-mechanical calculation of electronic contributions ...
computations of a broad range of chemical systems, later application focused on the application of chemical simulation techniques such as
Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo (; ; french: Monte-Carlo , or colloquially ''Monte-Carl'' ; lij, Munte Carlu ; ) is officially an administrative area of the Principality of Monaco, specifically the ward of Monte Carlo/Spélugues, where the Monte Carlo Casino is ...
and
molecular dynamics
Molecular dynamics (MD) is a computer simulation method for analyzing the physical movements of atoms and molecules. The atoms and molecules are allowed to interact for a fixed period of time, giving a view of the dynamic "evolution" of the ...
, mostly in the context of
solution chemistry.
A particular notable contribution of Prof. Rode's research is the development and application of
hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical simulation techniques, focusing on a broad range of problems in solution chemistry. In 2004 an improved technique known as quantum mechanical charge field molecular dynamics explicitly aimed at the treatment of solvated systems has been developed in Prof. Rode's research group. During the last years the application of this technique enabled accurate simulations of ionic compounds and organic species as well as
coordination complex
A coordination complex consists of a central atom or ion, which is usually metallic and is called the ''coordination centre'', and a surrounding array of bound molecules or ions, that are in turn known as ''ligands'' or complexing agents. Many ...
es in aqueous solution. His most recent research is focussed on the lanthanoid ions in aqueous solution.
Chemical evolution
![Sipf complex](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/Sipf_complex.png)
Prof. Rode's second main field of research lies in the area of bioinorganic chemistry, in particular
abiogenesis
In biology, abiogenesis (from a- 'not' + Greek bios 'life' + genesis 'origin') or the origin of life is the natural process by which life has arisen from non-living matter, such as simple organic compounds. The prevailing scientific hypothes ...
. At the end of the 1980s Prof. Rode and his coworkers discovered the salt induced peptide formation reaction as a simple route to synthesis
peptide
Peptides (, ) are short chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. Long chains of amino acids are called proteins. Chains of fewer than twenty amino acids are called oligopeptides, and include dipeptides, tripeptides, and tetrapeptides.
A ...
s from
amino acid
Amino acids are organic compounds that contain both amino and carboxylic acid functional groups. Although hundreds of amino acids exist in nature, by far the most important are the alpha-amino acids, which comprise proteins. Only 22 alpha am ...
monomers under prebiotic conditions. Instead of enzymes transition metals act as catalyst to induce peptide formation in highly concentrated aqueous NaCl solution, with copper (II) showing the highest catalytic activity. Typically, evaporation cycle experiments have been carried out to mimic day/night cycles on shore and in lagoons, thereby generating supersaturated solutions. Since such solutions have a tendency to dilute themselves, the thermodynamic and kinetic unfavourable peptide formation reaction is promoted. The research conducted by Prof. Rode investigates the properties of the salt induced peptide formation reaction under various conditions, highlighting also its possible connection to
biohomochirality. Furthermore, Prof. Rode also carried out
Miller-Urey experiments, taking new insights of the composition of the primordial atmosphere into account. It was shown that peptides may also form in a neutral atmosphere (CO
2/N
2/H
2O) subject to electric discharges.
Molvision®
![MOLVISION LOGO](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/MOLVISION_LOGO.jpg)
Together with his Ph.D. student Hung Tung Tran Prof. Rode developed the practical and flexible visualization softwar
Molvision®capable of interactively analyzing dynamic simulation data. In 2003 Dr. Tran was awarded with a European Innovation Award for the development of this program.
Publications
*Tongraar, A.; Liedl, K. R.; Rode, Bernd M. (1997);"Solvation of Ca2+ In Water Studied By Born-Oppenheimer Ab-Initio QM/MM Dynamics"; J. Phys. Chem. A 1997, 101(35), p. 6299-630
DOI: 10.1021/jp970963t
*Rode, Bernd M.; Schwenk, Christian F., Tongraar, Anan (2004); "Structure and Dynamics of Hydrated Ions - New Insights through Quantum Cechanical Simulation"; J. Mol. Liq. 2004, 110(1-3), pp. 105–122
DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2003.09.016
* Hofer, Thomas; Pribil, Andreas; Randolf, Bernhard; Rode, Bernd M. (2005); "Structure and dynamics of solvated Sn(II) in aqueous solution - an ab initio QM/MM MD approach", J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127(41), p. 14231-14238
DOI:10.1021/ja052700f
*Rode, Bernd M.; Schwenk, Christian; Hofer, Thomas; Randolf, Bernhard (2005); "Coordination and ligand exchange dynamics of solvated metal ions"; Coord. Chem. Rev. 2005, 249(24), pp. 2993-–3006
DOI: doi:10.1016/j.ccr.2005.03.032
*Rode, Bernd M.; Hofer, Thomas (2006); "How to Access Structure and Dynamics of Solutions: The Capabilities of Computational Methods", Pure Appl. Chem. 2006, 78(3), pp. 525–539
DOI: 10.1351/pac200678030525
*Rode, Bernd M.; Hofer, Thomas; Randolf, Bernhard; Schwenk, Christian; Xenides, Demetrios; Vchirawongkwin, Viwat(2006); "Ab initio Quantum Mechanical Charge Field (QMCF) Molecular Dynamics - A QM/MM - MD Procedure for Accurate Simulations of Ions and Complexes"; Theor. Chem. Acc. 2006, 115(2-3), pp. 77–85
DOI: 10.1007/s00214-005-0049-1
*Hofer, Thomas S.; Randolf, Bernhard R.; Rode, Bernd M. (2008); "Molecular Dynamics Simulation Methods including Quantum Effects"; In: Solvation Effects on Molecules and Biomolecules, Canuto, Sylvio (Eds.), , Springer, Heidelberg 2008, pp. 247–278.
*Rode, Bernd M.; Hofer, Thomas S.; Pribil, Andreas B.; Randolf, Bernhard R. (2010); "Simulations of Liquids and Solutions Based on Quantum Mechanical Forces"; In: Theoretical and Computational Inorganic Chemistry, van Eldik, Rudi; Harvey, Jeremy (Eds.), , Elsevier, Amsterdam 2010,pp. 143–175.
*Hofer, Thomas S.; Pribil, Andreas B.; Randolf, Bernhard R.; Rode, Bernd M.; "Ab Initio Quantum Mechanical Charge Field Molecular Dynamics - A Nonparametrized First-Principle Approach to Liquids and Solutions"; In: Advances in Quantum Chemistry, Sabin, John R.; Brändas, Erkki (Eds.), , Elsevier, Amsterdam 2010, 213–246.
*Jakschitz, Thomas; Fitz, Daniel; Rode, Bernd Michael (2012); "The origin of first peptides on earth: from amino acids to homochiral biomolecules"; In: Genesis - In The Beginning, Joseph Seckbach (Edp.), , Springer, Dordrecht 2012, pp. 469–489.
*Lutz, Oliver M. D.; Messner, Christoph B.; Hofer, Thomas S.; Glätzle, Matthias; Huck, Christian W.; Bonn, Günther K.; Rode, Bernd M.; "Combined Ab Initio Computational and Infrared Spectroscopic Study of the cis- and trans-Bis(glycinato)copper(II) Complexes in Aqueous Environment"; J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2013, 4, p. 1502-1506
DOI: 10.1021/jz400288c
*Schwendinger, M. G.; Rode, Bend M. (1990); "Copper-Catalyzed Amino Acid Condensation in Water - A Simple Possible Way of Prebiotic Peptide Formation"; Origins Life Evol. Biosphere 1990, 20(5), pp. 401–410
DOI: 10.1007/BF01808134
*Schwendinger, M. G.; Rode, Bend M.(1998); "Possible Role of Copper and Sodium Chloride in Prebiotic Evolution of Peptides"; Anal. Sci. 1989, 5(4), pp. 411–414
DOI: 10.2116/analsci.5.411
*Plankensteiner, Kristof; Reiner, Hannes; Schranz, Benjamin; Rode, Bernd M. (2004); "Prebiotic formation of amino acids in a neutral atmosphere by electric discharge"; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2004, 43, pp. 1886–1888
*Fitz, Daniel; Reiner, Hannes; Rode, Bernd M. (2007); "Chemical evolution toward the origin of life"]; Pure Appl. Chem. 2007, 79(12), pp. 2101–2117
DOI: 10.1351/pac200779122101
*Fitz, Daniel; Jakschitz, Thomas; Rode, Bernd M. (2011); "Salt-Induced Peptide Formation in Chemical Evolution: Building Blocks Before RNA - Potential of Peptide Splicing Reactions"; In: Origins of Life: The Primal Self-Organization, Egel, Richard; Lankenau, Dirk-Henner; Mulkidjanian, Armen Y. (Eds.), , Springer, Heidelberg, Berlin 2011, pp. 109–127.
*Jakschitz, Thomas A.; Rode, Bernd M. (2012); "Chemical Evolution from simple inorganic compounds to chiral peptides"; Chem. Soc. Rev. 2012, 41(16), pp. 5484–5489
DOI: 10.1039/C2CS35073D
*Rode, Bernd M.; Plankensteiner, Kristof (2013); "Prebiotic Peptides",; In: Handbook of Biologically Active Peptides, Second Edition, Abba J. Kastin (Eds.), , Elsevier, Amsterdam 2013, pp. 1899–1903.
References
External links
* Institute of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck
CV Prof. Bernd Michael RodeCurriculum Vita - Prof. Bernd Michael Rode, on the Website of the Theoretical Chemistry Genealogy Project, University of HannvoerHomepage - Austrian South East Asian University Partnership Networks (ASEA-UNINET)Theoretical Chemistry Genealogy ProjectMOLVISION - Visualization of Chemical Systems*
Austria Press Agency, APA - Austrian Press Agency:br>
"Hochleistungscomputer für indonesische Partneruniversität" published on April, 2nd 2014. Retrieved on May, 23rd 2014
* Website of Dr. Heinz Fischer, President of Austria:
"Wissenschaftstag" in Ho-Chi-Minh-Stadt, dem früheren Saigon"' published by Austrian Press Agency (APA), on May, 31st 2012, retrieved on June, 19th 2014.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rode, Bernd Michael
1946 births
Living people
Austrian chemists
University of Innsbruck alumni
Academic staff of the University of Innsbruck
Computational chemists