Shixin Liu

Seminar Details

Host: Dr, Junjie Zhang

Time: 4:00-5:00 pm

Location: BCBP Rm. 108

Seminar Abstract

DNA-binding proteins often exhibit dynamic movements and conformational changes when interacting with DNA. Some of these proteins function as molecular motors, exerting forces on the DNA substrates and changing their topology. These properties are central to protein function and can be directly measured thanks to the advent of single-molecule techniques. In particular, the integration of single-molecule fluorescence detection and force manipulation has unlocked multidimensional measurements of protein-DNA interactions and yielded unprecedented insights into many biomolecular processes that orchestrate cellular life. I will present recent work from my lab utilizing single-molecule correlative fluorescence and force microscopy (smCFFM) to study the replication, transcription, and epigenetic machinery. These studies highlight that the physical characteristics of DNA and chromatin encode a versatile and underappreciated layer of regulation for genome transactions.