Research Overview
The Guo lab seeks to untangle local DNA organization and crack the code that connects DNA context to its molecular function. In order to accomplish this goal, we will identify proteins involved in DNA organization, characterize how the molecular machines that replicate DNA are regulated, and develop tools to map and describe the consequences of DNA shape. For more information, please see our publications here or on PubMed.
For our table of bacterial topoisomerase regulating proteins, go here.
Chromosome structure during replication
Replication generates DNA structural stresses (supercoiling) that must be untangled for replication to continue. How the molecular machines that eliminate replication-associated supercoiling are targeted to the replication fork and how the activities of these machines are controlled is poorly understood. We are interested in discovering the mechanisms that resolve replication-associated supercoiling in order to understand the fundamental principles behind how rapid replication is maintained.
Discovery of structuring protein function
Local genome organization is driven by DNA supercoiling and DNA structuring proteins. However, in most prokaryotes, the identities and functions of their DNA structuring proteins is unknown. We are dedicated to discovering and characterizing bacterial structuring proteins, to identify new protein tools and targets for novel anti-microbial drugs.
Tools for describing genome organization and mutagenesis
Local chromosome organization is poorly characterized in all organisms. We develop and apply new technologies to allow us to describe chromosome organization at high resolution. In particular, we are extremely interested in understanding how DNA shape affects mutation frequency and diversity.
