Kowalczykowski Lab Home Page

 

Stephen Kowalczykowski, Professor
University of California, Davis
Departments of Microbiology and of Molecular and Cellular Biology
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biophysics, Genetics, and Microbiology Graduate Groups
 Briggs Hall - Rm. 310
One Shields Ave
Davis, CA 95616-8665

E-MAIL:   sckowalczykowski@ucdavis.edu
PHONE (office):  530-752-5938      FAX (office):  530-752-5939
   PHONE (department):  530-752-0260   FAX (department):  530-752-9014
Focus in Chromosome Dynamics at U.C. Davis

  Research Interests Publications People

Recent papers and papers in press

Our research interests include:

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Molecular mechanism of genetic recombination
DNA strand exchange proteins
Homologous pairing
Recombination-intermediate structures
DNA helicases
DNA processing
Recombination hotspots

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Biochemistry of DNA helicases
DNA unwinding and ATP hydrolysis
Translocation along DNA
Molecular motor mechanisms
Reconstituted in vitro reactions

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Protein-nucleic acid interactions
Atomic force (scanning probe) microscopy
Single-molecule visualization
Equilibrium and kinetic properties
Fluorescence-based assays

 

[Click here to see a movie of translocation & unwinding by an individual RecBCD helicase along a single molecule of DNA]

  laser optical trap
Streptavidin-coated bead (1m)

More movies: 
1 mM ATP
250 µM ATP #1
250 µM ATP #2
no ATP

News Flashes!

The BRC repeats of BRCA2 modulate the DNA-binding selectivity of RAD51. Cell, 136, 1032-1043 (2009).
 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]  

Reconstitution of initial steps of double-strand DNA break repair by the RecF pathway of E. coli.  Genes & Dev., 23, 1234-1245 (2009).
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

Single-molecule analysis of a red fluorescent RecA Protein reveals a defect in nucleoprotein filament nucleation that relates to its reduced biological functions.  J. Biol. Chem., 284, 18664-73 (2009).
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

Second-end DNA capture in double-strand break repair: How to catch a DNA by its tail. Cell Cycle, 8, 1816-1817 (2009).
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]  

BRCA2: Shining light on the regulation of DNA-binding selectivity by RAD51. Cell Cycle, (2009) (in press).
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

 

NIH Videocast: DNA Repair Interest Group
Biochemistry of Recombinational DNA Repair: Common Themes
Author/Sponsor: Dr. Steve Kowalczykowski, UC Davis
Tuesday, January 20, 2004; Total Running Time: 01:22:40 (Requires RealPlayer software )
Slide Show  or  PDF Presentation

Highly cited paper selected by ISI Essential Science Indicators: "Biochemistry of homologous recombination in Escherichia coli," (Microbiol. Rev. 58 [3]: 401-65, September 1994). This paper ranks among the top 15 highly cited papers in the field of Microbiology, with a total of 511 citations to date.
(in-cites, April 2002 - Citing URL: http://www.in-cites.com/BI-april2002.html )         
Read interview with Dr. Stephen Kowalczykowski

Nanotech Dreams - The Scientist 16[5]:34, Mar. 4, 2002 - excerpt
Full article

Davis  Community Television - February 8, 2001 7:00 PM: Get The Word Out - "Double helix unwinds on camera." Stephen Kowalczykowski interviewed by Jon Price.
(Rerun on Tues Feb 13, 2001 at 7:30 PM). [VIDEO]

   

Scott, Eugenie C., ... your name et al. 2004. The Morphology of Steve. Annals of Improbable Research, July-slash-August. pp. 24-29.pdf
[PDF]