Single Molecule and Single Cell Imaging
Our research focuses on detecting biological molecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins with single-molecule precision. When in a mixture, the behaviors of individual molecules are masked in an ensemble average. To overcome this limitation, we use single-molecule fluorescence assays to monitor interactions between individual protein and DNA molecules under a microscope. This is achieved by fluorescently tagging the molecules of interest and illuminating them with a laser beam. We then combine these assays with other biophysical, biochemical and molecular biology tools and high-resolution cell imaging techniques to investigate the following research topics:
- Role of G-quadruplex and R-loop in transcription and translation
- Defining Poly (ADP-ribose) mechanism in biomolecular condensation
- Mechanism by which TERRA and oxidative damage impact telomere regulation
- Molecular mechanism underlying phase-separation of RNA binding proteins implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, ALS and FTLD
