Fernando Moreno-Herrero | Biophisics Lab

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

DNA-end processing DNA Repair

SMC proteins DNA Organization

Type III partition systems DNA Organization

ParABS partition systems DNA Organization

Rolling Circle Replication of plasmids DNA Replication

Replication initiation proteins DNA Replication

Magnetic Tweezers Techniques

Combined MT-TIRF Techniques

BioLab Techniques

Atomic Force Microscopy Techniques

Confocal Optical Tweezers (C-Trap™ from Lumicks) Techniques

MD simulations of Nucleic Acids Mechanical Properties

Mechanical Properties of nucleic acids Mechanical Properties

High-resolution AFM imaging of nucleic acids Mechanical Properties

NEWS & EVENTS

Purified Smc5/6 Complex Exhibits DNA Substrate Recognition and Compaction

Eukaryotic SMC complexes, cohesin, condensin, and Smc5/6, use ATP hydrolysis to power a plethora of functions requiring organization and restructuring of eukaryotic chromosomes in interphase and during mitosis. The Smc5/6 mechanism of action and its activity on DNA are largely unknown. Here we purified the budding yeast Smc5/6 holocomplex and characterized its core biochemical and biophysical activities.

Double-stranded RNA bending by AU-tract sequences

Sequence-dependent structural deformations of the DNA double helix (dsDNA) have been extensively studied, where adenine tracts (A-tracts) provide a striking example for global bending in the molecule. However, in contrast to dsDNA, sequence-dependent structural features of dsRNA have received little attention. In this work, we demonstrate that the nucleotide sequence can induce a bend in a canonical Watson-Crick base-paired dsRNA helix.

Characterizing microfluidic approaches for a fast and efficient reagent exchange in single-molecule studies

Single-molecule experiments usually take place in flow cells. This experimental approach is essential for experiments requiring a liquid environment, but is also useful to allow the exchange of reagents before or during measurements. This is crucial in experiments that need to be triggered by ligands or require a sequential addition of proteins.

Tweets

DNA Repair and Organisation

DNA-protein interactions

Single-molecule fluorescence

Single-molecule techniques

Molecular biology laboratory

Home build machines

Own instrumentation

Openings