Colleen C. Caldwell

This study uses optical tweezers to measure the mechanical properties of human centromeres, revealing stiffness at low forces and softening under tension, with implications for chromosome segregation.

The paper shows CTCF forms dynamic DNA bridges that stabilize chromatin loops independently of cohesin, challenging the loop extrusion model.

This study uses optical tweezers to analyze XPD helicase dynamics on DNA lesions, revealing distinct damage-sensing behaviors and identifying two XPD regions sensitive to DNA modifications.