The Gene Machines group

Exploring biology, one molecule at a time

Gene expression is the vital path that converts DNA information into functional proteins. Our group studies mechanisms and machines of gene expression using single-molecule biophysical methods and biochemistry. We observe single biomachines in real time, both "in vitro" and inside living cells. Our favourite machines come from microbes, especially from the bacterium E.coli and the influenza virus.

We also develop new research tools, such as single-molecule fluorescence and super-resolution methods, microscopes, assays, and software. We then leverage our biological understanding and our new "tools" to build novel biosensors and diagnostic platforms.

Our team is a Biological Physics research group within Condensed Matter Physics, and has recently relocated to the new Oxford Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, an interdisciplinary institute focusing on using physical approaches to study cellular mechanisms. We are also linked to many of the Oxford Doctoral Training Centres (DTCs) programmes (including the Interdisciplinary Bioscience DTP and the Chemistry-in-Cells programmes).

Latest News

2024 Oct

Very warm welcome to Suchintak. We're excited to have you with us and look forward to your valuable contributions.

2024 July

It's very sad to see Piers leaving the group this month. All the best for your new addventures!

2024 Feb

Congrats to Hafez and Oli on their NusG publication, see Single-Molecule Tracking Reveals the Functional Allocation, in vivo Interactions and Spatial Organization of Universal Transcription Factor NusG

We are hiring! We have a 4-year opening for a single-molecule biophysicist AND a 4-year opening for a single-cell microbiologist. Apply by March 27th or tell your friends to do so (:-)

Our lab (Hafez, Jagadish, Oli, Achilles) is organising the 35th RNA polymerase workshop at Oxford (18-19th March, 2024). Registration is open until March 11th. Abstracts are due until March 4th. Looking fwd to hearing your new transcription and RNAP stories!