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LMCB - Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology

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Nicholas Bell's picture

LMCB Junior Group Leader,听香港六合彩中特网 Physics Department听Lecturer

n.a.w.bell@ucl.ac.uk

LMCB Room 1.04

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Biophysics of genome structure and repair

Research synopsis

Our research group studies the molecular mechanisms of protein-DNA interactions that underpin the structure and maintenance of the genome. 听We combine biophysical and biochemical approaches with cutting-edge fluorescence microscopy and force spectroscopy to understand how these proteins function in health and disease.
A particular focus of the lab is the study of DNA repair enzymes. DNA in the cell is constantly subjected to a variety of types of damage such as strand breaks and base modifications. DNA repair enzymes scan the genome for damage and repair them through a number of different pathways. 听Failure to correctly repair DNA damage can lead to cancer and other diseases. We are interested in studying the mechanisms of the DNA repair process including how these proteins recognize different DNA damage structures and how small molecule drugs can alter their dynamics. By understanding the fundamental processes by which these proteins work we hope to inform the progression of new therapies.
Our lab also has a strong interest in the development of techniques to study DNA and protein dynamics at high temporal and spatial resolution down to the level of single-molecules. We specialize in force spectroscopy using magnetic tweezers/nanopores and single-molecule fluorescence imaging. 听

We welcome enquiries about joining our research group - please contact Dr Nicholas Bell.听

Selected publications

Bell NAW & Molloy JE (2023). . Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 120 (22), e2214209120
Chen K, Joi I, Ermann N, Muthukumar M, Keyser UF & Bell NAW (2021). . Nature Physics 17 (9), 1043-1049
Bell NAW et al (2021). . Science Advances 7 (33), eabf3641
Bell NAW & Keyser UF (2016). . Nature nanotechnology 11 (7), 645-651



Research themes

DNA repair
Chromosome structure
Transcriptional regulation
Membrane transport听

Technology

Light microscopy
Electron microscopy
Super-resolution microscopy
Single-molecule force spectroscopy
Nanopore technology

People

Maia Kazakova-Garcia (PhD student)
Giselle Tan (MSci student)
Emily Shim (MSc student)

Collaborators

Hasan Yardimci (Crick Institute)
Sarah Tabrizi (香港六合彩中特网)
Mike Flower (香港六合彩中特网)