Jan 27 - 2022
Binding long or often - the secret of fast TF search
In a study that we recently published in Science, we show how DNA-binding proteins can slide on the DNA sequence in search of their targets without getting held up unnecessarily on unspecific DNA. The result explains how LacI and other transcription factors can be both accurate and fast when turning on and off their target genes.
Dec 11 - 2021
Happy holidays!
Let's bring the year 2021 to a happy conclusion. Send some love to your friends and family and make some time for well-deserved rest; maybe it's time to brush up on your knitting...
Sep 01 - 2021
When you are blindfolded, it is easier to find a rope than a ball!
In a recent publication in Nature, we show how RecA filaments reduce the dimensionality of homologous recombination search from 3D to 2D, considerably speeding up the DNA repair process.
Oct 02 - 2020
Open Science at Krusenberg
The MSB program learns about open science and enjoys the autumn in the orchard of Krusenberg
Sep 07 - 2020
Finding your sister - a search of life and death
Arvid Gynnå defends his thesis entiteled Bacterial DNA repair and molecular search.
Jun 24 - 2020
Hit and miss for sloppy transcription factors
In a recent publication in Nature, we show how transcription factors are trading accuracy for speed when scanning the DNA. Although the transcription factor will frequently miss the target site, it will revisit the sequence enough times to ensure rapid binding
Jun 10 - 2020
Elf lab part of new research center to promote global health
Antibiotic resistance is a global health problem caused by the use and misuse of these drugs. The problem is exacerbated by the lack of new antibiotics and rapid diagnostic methods to identify the bacterial agents and their antibiotic susceptibility. In this project, we will develop diagnostic tools that will prolong the lifespan of existing and future antibiotics by allowing us to use them rationally—i.e. only for bacterial infections and when the bacterium is susceptible.
May 15 - 2020
LacI - Sloppy or brilliant?
Emil Marklund defends his thesis entiteled Orientational dynamics of single molecules applied to protein-DNA target search.
Mar 31 - 2020
Level up!
Johan Elf is among the 185 scientists that win European Research Council’s Advanced Grant in 2020. In this ERC-funded project, we will determine the dynamic chromosome structure in a living bacterial cell at high spatial and temporal resolution, and investigate outstanding questions about bacterial cell cycle regulation.
Mar 08 - 2020
Elflab at Scifest
SciFest is a science festival with workshops, shows, competitions, research meetings and lectures. The visitors range from curious three-year olds to senior citizens, and as far as we could tell, everybody had very good time.