Welcome.  I investigate biophysics of DNA and RNA using theoretical and experimental approaches.

My research is currently focused on the stability, thermodynamics, and kinetics of various structures of nucleic acids, including duplexes, hairpins, bulges, dumbbells, junctions, and molecular beacons.

I develop models and engineer software that predict melting temperatures, melting profiles, folding, and hybridizations of nucleic acids when they interact with ligands, proteins, and solvents.

Nucleic acids are present in every living organism.  These diverse biomolecules fold into various structures, store genetic information, regulate cell processes and engage in a myriad of interactions.   The number of unique DNA sequences and their interactions grow enormously with increasing numbers of bases.  It is therefore necessary to obtain large experimental data sets if physical and binding properties of nucleic acids are to be studied as a function of base sequence, ligands, and environment.  My research group collects and analyzes DNA data on large scale using traditional and novel techniques.  We have developed unique hardware, software, and database systems to increase efficiency and productivity.  In our research, we use various biophysical and molecular biology techniques, including UV spectroscopy, fluorescence, circular dichroism, differential scanning calorimetry, PCR, capillary electrophoresis, and mass spectroscopy.  In addition, we create advanced software that uses new models and algorithms. My biophysics group is part of Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc.  Our findings are regularly reported in peer-review literature.