DNA mechanical properties DNA bending and torsional elasticity directly affect most, if not all, genome functions by altering the affinity of proteins for their DNA binding sites, the likelihood of protein-protein or protein-DNA interactions, the activity of DNA enzymes and DNA/chromatin packaging. We study parameters that affect DNA elasticity such as polycations, base pairing, modified […]
DNA mechanics and topology Read More »
Living organisms thrive, grow and reproduce thanks to a well-regulated transcription program. We wish to understand the physical laws that underlie regulatory mechanisms. This is a multifaceted problem that involves understanding the mechanical properties of DNA in different environments and how such properties affect DNA interaction with proteins, including molecular motors that carry out, or
Loop-based genetic switches represent a ubiquitous regulatory mechanism of transcription present in all kingdoms of life. These switches determine developmental alternatives, such as quiescence versus virulence in bacteriophages, or organ identity in plants. Therefore, studying them offers a unique opportunity to discover fundamental regulatory principles. At their basis is the interaction between proteins bound at
We continuously devise new methods and optimization protocols to improve performance and sensitivity.Below are the publications that describe these advances for each specific approach. Tethered Particle Microscopy: Qian J, Collette D, Finzi L, Dunlap D. Detecting DNA Loops Using Tethered Particle Motion. Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.). 2024; 2694:451-466. PubMed PMID: 37824017; DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3377-9_21 Laura
