The project explores how the tumour suppressor protein p53 contributes to DNA repair and regulation by forming dynamic biomolecular condensates at sites of DNA damage. Using advanced single particle tracking (SPT) microscopy, it maps p53’s spatial organisation and behaviour in living cells, shedding light on its dual role in repair initiation and regulatory signalling.
This collaboration brings together experimental biology, biophysical data analysis, and mathematical modelling to understand how p53 concentration oscillations influence condensate stability and how mutations may disrupt these processes—offering insights into cancer development. By integrating theory and observation, the project lays the groundwork for future research into the physical principles governing cellular repair systems.