The first paper from my PhD has finally been published! Using an exciting combination of advanced simulations and microscopy, the paper reveals the multiple ways in which a protein found in most bacteria bends DNA and demonstrates that the protein can hold together two separate DNA helices. This has some important consequences for our understanding of DNA organisation in bacteria and the stability of infectious bacterial colonies, and the tightly coupled combination of experiment and simulation presents a promising foundation for future studies into other important biological systems. Unfortunately, a scientific paper is by its very nature a relatively dry, technical document, but the fruits of science belong to us all and I think it’s important that we share our research outside the academic bubble. With that in mind, please do sit tight while I walk you through our work in terms I hope a scientifically curious layperson can understand.
