Single-molecule Biophysics @ UOW

Living cells are filled with complex protein machines that are responsible for the molecular processes supporting life. Our group develops the physical tools that enable the study of these protein complexes at the level of single molecules. By making real-time single-molecule movies of complex biochemical process we hope to unravel underlying molecular mechanisms and provide the fundamental knowledge required to understand disease mechanisms and catalyze drug development.

In particular, we are interested in studying the protein machines responsible for DNA replication, the process of duplicating genomic information before cell division. DNA replication proteins are involved in a large number of disease pathways and represent important drug targets. A full understanding of their working principles requires novel experimental approaches that visualize molecular details beyond the reach of conventional biophysical and biochemical approaches. We are tackling this challenge by developing and using single-molecule approaches in the context of different levels of biological complexity: from well-defined, isolated replication complexes to the crowded, intracellular environment.

Not only are we interested in developing novel experimental strategies that facilitate the observation and a better understanding of complex biochemical processes, we are also involved in using these methods to catalyze new approaches in drug discovery. For example, we are developing a novel microfluidics platform that allows the real-time observation of the process by which a virus merges its membrane to the lipid bilayer enveloping living cells. This method allows us to rapidly screen the effects drug candidates have on the kinetics of this important step in the infection pathway.

Bringing physics, chemistry and biology together, the researchers and students in our lab form a highly international and interdisciplinary research team. The nature of our work, developing novel physical tools to study important biological processes at the single-molecule level, requires a wide variety of skills that need to be integrated in a seamless fashion. We are always looking for talented students and researchers who are ready for an interdisciplinary adventure.