MOLECULAR MOTORS MANIPULATION LAB

https://nanociencia.imdea.org/research/research-programs

Research

Our laboratory combines single-molecule manipulation (optical tweezers), with biochemistry and supramolecular chemistry to uncover the physical and chemical principles that govern biological and synthetic molecular systems. Our research focuses on two main areas:

DNA replication mechanisms: We study how DNA replication works at the molecular level, with particular emphasis on the replication of human mitochondrial DNA. Our goal is to understand the dynamics, interactions and mechanical processes that allow replication proteins to copy DNA efficiently and accurately.

Artificial molecular devices: We investigate how synthetic molecular devices operate at the single-molecule level. By directly measuring their motion, forces and responses, we aim to clarify the mechanisms that control their function.

Our studies provide a detailed mechanistic understanding of how complex molecular systems work. In the biological field, this knowledge can help clarify how defects in mitochondrial DNA replication arise and how they may contribute to disease. In the field of synthetic molecular systems, our work supports the rational design of molecular devices with better-controlled and more predictable functions.