Our group is interested in understanding the kinetics and fundamental molecular mechanisms that underlie the search for DNA damage by DNA repair enzymes.  Because these search processes are highly dynamic and heterogeneous, we utilize single-molecule fluorescence microscopy techniques (time-resolved fluorescence microscopy, optical trap microscopy) to observe individual enzymes as they scan along DNA tightropes in real time.  We are continually developing new single molecule methodology, and students in the laboratory have the opportunity to gain expertise in the areas of fluorescence imaging and optics, statistical analysis of single particle trajectories, methods for surface patterning, enzymology, creative DNA cloning and construction, enzyme structural analyses, and genome database mining.  By applying these methods to the study of human cancer variants, we are also exploring how search deficiencies may contribute to carcinogenesis and other disease.