About the Lab

DNA transcription into RNA is a fundamental step during the life cycle of a cell, and it needs to be tightly controlled to avoid impairment and disease. Our research focuses on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of transcriptional regulation and the role of force in it. We use single-molecule techniques such as the tethered particle motion technique (TPM), magnetic tweezers and optical tweezers (MT & OT), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and single-molecule fluorescence together with more traditional biochemical, biomolecular, and biophysical techniques. We develop instrumentation and computational analyses as needed to carry out our investigations. Our research interests span loop-based genetic switches, transcription roadblocks, DNA supercoiling, topoisomerases DNA mechanics, and liquid-liquid phase separation.