Our interests are diverse: we investigated catalysis, substrate selection, initiation, pausing and termination by bacterial RNA polymerases and their modulation by accessory proteins, small molecules, and riboswitches. We studied transcription-coupled RNA folding, DNA repair and translation and transcriptional mechanisms underlying adaptation to stress and starvation. We also investigated small molecule inhibitors, initially as mechanistic probes but more recently with an intent of identifying new therapeutics.
Since 2020, we are also studying SARS-CoV-2 replication machinery and developing novel antivirals.
We work on several projects in parallel and continuously adjust our strategy based on emerging data obtained by us and others. Our main projects are: