Biophysical Modeling: Dynamics Inside Nucleus

Our research develops biophysical and mathematical models to understand how active processes shape the function and physical organization of the cell nucleus.

Our work has shown how stresses generated by nuclear enzymatic activity can drive coherent chromatin motions and promote the spatial compartmentalization of euchromatin and heterochromatin. To do this, we develop continuum and polymer-based models that link microscopic nonequilibrium activity to large-scale nuclear dynamics, finding understanding through both simulation and mathematical analysis.

In joint work with the Genomics research team, we have developed ML-enabled mechanistic frameworks that clarify how sequence features and transition-state kinetics govern enzymatic reaction rates, with Cas9-mediated DNA cleavage serving as an important model system. Ongoing efforts address the dynamics and repair of nuclear rupture and seek to connect multiscale nuclear mechanics with genomic features and regulation.