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Welcome to the Nynke Dekker Lab

Our lab focuses on understanding the key cellular process of replication using a combination of biophysical and biochemical approaches. At present, we predominantly focus on DNA replication in eukaryotic systems (including also the chromatin context), but we also have interest in bacterial and viral systems, the latter in the context of RNA replication. We perform our studies both in vitro, using purified components, and in vivo, observing inside living cells. We are particularly interested in the dynamic aspects of these processes, which we are able to observe using state-of-the-art single-molecule biophysics approaches that are highly integrated with biochemistry.

Together with the other Biophysics groups at Oxford, we are part of the Department of Physics. Our labs are housed in the beautiful state-of-the-art Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgins building, which houses the Kavli Institute for NanoScience Discovery and the Department of Biochemistry.

Our work

The copying, or replication, of DNA is one of the central processes that take place in all living organisms. In our group, we aim at understanding the molecular processes that underlie DNA and RNA replication, with the particular goal of gaining spatiotemporal insight into their dynamics. More concretely, we are interested in understanding how individual molecules interact in space and time, so as to jointly perform an otherwise extremely efficient and accurate task.

Our approach combines the use of cutting-edge single-molecule biophysics tools, which allow us to visualize and track multiple and diverse single molecules simultaneously, with in-house purified components and advanced biochemical assays. Single-molecule techniques provide a complementary approach to bulk biochemistry, and address relevant questions regarding the dynamics of DNA/RNA replication that cannot be obtained otherwise, thereby contributing to the advancement of the field of replication.

These high-resolution techniques, which include single-molecule fluorescence and single-molecule force spectroscopy (magnetic and optical tweezers), or a combination of both, monitor individual biochemical processes under physiological conditions in real time.

While the primary aim of our research is to give fundamental mechanistic insight into different aspects of replication, also biomedically relevant clues can be obtained using our approaches. For instance, we can study how mutations in a viral genome are triggered by drug compounds or how eukaryotic genomes deal with not only replication of the genome but also with the replication of epigenetic information.

JOB OPENINGS

We are looking to hire talented biophysicists, biochemists, microscopists to join our group! Outstanding candidates are highly encouraged to apply. Preliminary enquiries may be directed to Prof. Nynke Dekker.

 

Read more here!