Research

There are currently several active projects in our laboratory. These projects are focused on on DNA/RNA structures and their interaction of with relevant proteins. We use single molecule fluorescence microscopy as our main tool. 

Imagine zooming into a cell during a crisis; disease or cellular stress! How does it cope? The answer may lie in tiny RNA molecules that act like cellular superheroes! These structured RNAs play a crucial role in helping cells adapt to stress, but their exact moves have been a mystery – until now.

Our research uses cutting-edge microscopes to watch individual RNA molecules in action, revealing their shape-shifting abilities and interactions in real-time. We believe these RNAs form quick and energy-saving structures that fine-tune gene activity during crisis. This clever strategy allows cells to respond rapidly without wasting precious resources.

By understanding these molecular acrobatics, we can potentially:

- Predict/detect how cells react to changing environments

- Develop new treatments for diseases

- Engineer resilience

Join us in exploring this exciting frontier of biology, where structure meets function at the tiniest scale!

Ever wonder how your body fixes damaged DNA? This process, called homologous recombination, is crucial for keeping your genetic material intact.

Imagine your DNA as a twisted ladder. Sometimes, this ladder gets tangled up, forming what we call Holliday Junctions. These junctions are like intricate knots in your genetic code. We aim to investigate the role of RuvB, a microscopic molecular motor, in DNA branch migration, a crucial step in the recombination process. Working with its partner RuvA and RuvC RuvB helps to untangle these DNA knots. How? By sliding along the DNA strands and pushing the tangles along – a process called branch migration. RuvB uses, ATP, a cellular fuel, giving RuvB the energy it needs to move DNA around. 

We are employing single-molecule fluorescence observation and advanced data analysis techniques to examine the dynamics of RuvB-mediated branch migration. This research aims to illuminate the mechanisms by which RuvB enhances branch migration through its helicase activity, ultimately enriching our understanding of homologous recombination and its vital role in preserving genomic integrity.

So next time you get a sunburn or eat something questionable, remember – your cellular repair crew, led by the mighty Ruv-trio, is working hard to keep your DNA in perfect shape!