We are interested in studying dsDNA break repair and Chromosome organisation at the single molecule level using Atomic Force Microscopy, Magnetic Tweezers, Fluorescence, and standard biochemical techniques.

Welcome to the Moreno-Herrero Lab

The main interest of my group is to answer key questions in DNA-break repair, replication and Chromosome organisation using novel approaches based on single-molecule techniques. To do this, we develop our own instrumentation based on Atomic Force Microscopy imaging, single-molecule manipulation techniques such as Magnetic Tweezers combined with fluorescence, and establish strategic collaborations with research groups specialized on different biological systems. We are also interested in studying the mechanical properties of nucleic acids and their role in protein interaction. We investigate this from an experimental perspective using our single-molecule tools but also by all-atom molecular dynamics simulations.

We work at the National Center of Biotechnology (CNB), a research center part of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). The CNB is the largest CSIC institute with over 600 people working in a multidisciplinary environment that combines the latest technology in molecular biology, and structural and functional biology.

Check out our Openings section for opportunities to join the group to do the Master project, PhD or Postdoctoral research.

MORE ABOUT OUR LAB

MORE ABOUT ME

Research lines

Theme-DNA-Repair-AddAB-SSB
DNA-end processing DNA Repair
Theme-DNA-Organisation
SMC proteins DNA Organization
Theme-TypeIII-TubR
Type III partition systems DNA Organization
Theme-ParB-condensation
ParABS partition systems DNA Organization
Theme-RCR
Rolling Circle Replication of plasmids DNA Replication
Theme-DNA-replication
Replication initiation proteins DNA Replication
pnas_cover5_ed
Magnetic Tweezers Techniques
Theme-MT-TIRF
Combined MT-TIRF Techniques
Theme-MolBiol
BioLab Techniques
Theme-AFM
Atomic Force Microscopy Techniques
Theme-MD-NA
MD simulations of Nucleic Acids Mechanical Properties
Theme-Mecanical-Properties-NA
Mechanical Properties of nucleic acids Mechanical Properties
Theme-Hi-res-NA-2
High-resolution AFM imaging of nucleic acids Mechanical Properties

NEWS & EVENTS

Sequence-dependent mechanical properties of double-stranded RNA

The mechanical properties of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) are involved in many of its biological functions and are relevant for future nanotechnology applications. DsRNA must tightly bend to fit inside viral capsids or deform upon the interaction with proteins that regulate gene silencing or the immune response against viral attacks. However, the question of how the nucleotide sequence affects the global mechanical properties of dsRNA has so far remained largely unexplored. Here, we have employed stateof-the-art atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to unveil the mechanical response of different RNA duplexes to an external force

SEBBM 2019

Fernando Moreno-Herrero together with Eduardo Oliver (CNIC), were responsible for the organization of “The 42nd Congress of the Spanish Biochemical and Molecular Biology Society”, that was held in Madrid on 16-19th July 2019, and count on the presence and support of the Minister of science, Innovation and Universities Pedro Duque during the Opening Ceremony.

ParB dynamics and the critical role of the CTD in DNA condensation unveiled by combined force-fluorescence measurements

Bacillus subtilis ParB forms multimeric networks involving non-specific DNA binding leading to DNA condensation. Previously, we found that an excess of the free C-terminal domain (CTD) of ParB impeded DNA condensation or promoted decondensation of pre-assembled networks (Fisher et al., 2017). However, interpretation of the molecular basis for this phenomenon was complicated by our inability to uncouple protein binding from DNA condensation.