We are happy to welcome Cristian Valdebenito Herrera to MeChaNiSM doctoral network. His PhD focuses on RNA thermometers and RNA folding dynamics using temperature controlled optical tweezers in Felix Ritrot lab at University of Barcelona.

We are happy to welcome Deepjoy Rudra Sarma to MeChaNiSM doctoral network. His project focuses on studying the binding of small molecules in nucleic acids by using advanced molecular simulation techniques in the lab of Jocelyne Vreede at the University of Amsterdam. @vreedecompchem.bsky.social

We are happy to welcome Vedant Kulkarni to MeChaNiSM doctoral network. His project focuses on click chemistry-derived targeted Holliday junction probes for nucleic acid recognition and photocleavage in Andrew Kellett's group at Dublin City University @akellett.bsky.social

We are happy to welcome Lukas Kuehnemann to MeChaNiSM doctoral network. His PhD focuses on understanding the RNA conformations in a glassy state at low temperatures using optical tweezers in Felix Ritort lab at University of Barcelona.

We are happy to welcome Ayoub El Ouardy to MeChaNiSM doctoral network. His PhD focuses on expanding the genetic alphabet and developing tools to better study nucleic acids and their dynamics in the lab of Stephanie Kath-Schorr at University of Cologne. @kathlab.bsky.social

We are happy to welcome Sopheak Seng to MeChaNiSM doctoral network. He will be employing MD simulations to explore modified nucleic acids under strain in the lab of Prof. Jocelyne Vreede at Universiteit van Amsterdam. @vreedecompchem.bsky.social

We are happy to welcome Fredrik Steiner to MeChaNiSM doctoral network. His PhD research focuses on developing modified nucleic acids for site-specific labelling and functionalization in the lab of Prof. Stephanie Kath-Schorr at University of Cologne, @kathlab.bsky.social.

We are happy to welcome Abdalrheem to the MeChaNiSM doctoral network. His PhD work focuses on developing a hybrid gene editing system using nucleic acid click chemistry in the lab of Prof. Andrew Kellet at Dublin City University @akellett.bsky.social , @dublincityuni.bsky.social.

We are happy to welcome Marek Vlasak to the MeChaNiSM doctoral network. His PhD work focuses on revealing the mechanical properties of nucleic acids using single-molecule techniques in the lab of Prof. Jan Lipfert at the University of Augsburg.

We are happy to welcome Hossein to the MeChaNiSM doctoral network. His PhD will focus on investigating DNA structure using single-molecule biophysics techniques such as FRET, optical tweezers, and fluorescence microscopy under the supervision of Prof. Peterman and Prof. Wuite at VU, Amsterdam.

We are excited to welcome Arianna to the MeChaNiSM doctoral network. Her PhD focuses on applying statistical physics and computational methods to study the mechanical dynamics of DNA kinks under the supervision of Prof. Enrico Carlon at KU Leuven, Belgium @ecarlon.bsky.social

We are excited to welcome Eliza to the MeChaNiSM doctoral network. Her PhD focuses on developing novel fluorescent base analogues for DNA/RNA labeling under the supervision of Prof. Marcus Wilhelmsson at Chalmers and Prof. Morten Grøtli at the University of Gothenburg. @wilhelmssonlab.bsky.social

We are happy to welcome Johnny to the MeChaNiSM doctoral network. His PhD will focus on investigating the conformational dynamics of DNA and RNA from experimental and data-analysis perspectives in the supervision of Prof. Fredrik Westerlund at Chalmers University, Sweden. @westerlundlab.bsky.social

We are excited to welcome Devika Sangpal to the MeChaNiSM doctoral network. She will be conducting her PhD research under the supervision of Prof. Fredrik Westerlund at Chalmers University, Sweden, using optical tweezers to study nucleic acids at the single-molecule level @westerlundlab.bsky.social

In 2025, PIs across the network hired doctoral candidates who began their journeys. A student's kick-off meeting was held in October, providing a great opportunity to catch up and network. In 2026, we will be introducing doctoral candidates across the network over the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

Prof. Gijs Wuite at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam applies quantitative physical tools to investigate fundamental problems in biology. He will host 1 PhD student to investigate novel fluorescent unnatural base pairs using optical tweezers and acoustic force spectroscopy. www.gijswuite.com

Jan Lipfert is a Professor at the University of Augsburg and an expert in nucleic acid structure and mechanics. He will host two students who will study the effects of ligand binding and base modification on nucleic mechanics and topology using single-molecule methods like magnetic tweezers.

The MeChaNiSM Doctoral Network students’ kick-off meeting (October 6-10) is starting today at the University of Cologne, Germany. It provides a great opportunity for students to catch up and network with others.

Felix Ritort is a Professor at the University of Barcelona, working on force spectroscopy of DNA and RNA. Within MeChaNiSM, he will host two students working on RNA folding and RNA-protein interactions, see felixritortlab.com

Stephanie Kath-Schorr is Professor at University of Cologne, expanding the functional repertoire of nucleic acids using organic synthesis and chemical biology. She will host 2 students working on the development of novel fluorescent unnatural base pairs and photoswitches. @kathlab.bsky.social

Enrico Carlon is a Professor at the KU Leuven, working on mechanics and statistical mechanics of DNA. Within MeChaNiSM he will host one student working on simulations and mechanical characterization of DNA kinks. bsky.app/profile/ecar...

Marcus Wilhelmsson is Professor at Chalmers University of Technology, working with nucleobase modifications, for example, for fluorescence labeling. He will host one student who develops novel nucleobase analogues that will facilitate single-molecule biophysics studies. @wilhelmssonlab.bsky.social

Andrew Kellett is a Professor at Dublin City University ‪@dublincityuni.bsky.social‬, working to develop nucleic acid-targeted therapies. Within MeChaNiSM, he will host 2 students working on artificial gene editing systems and Holliday junction recognition agents. ‪@akellett.bsky.social‬‬‬‬‬

Erwin Peterman is a professor at VU University Amsterdam and an expert on combining fluorescence with optical tweezers. He will host 1 student within MeChaNiSM, who will study novel fluorescently modified nucleic acids, including base analogs with these tools. www.nat.vu.nl/~erwinp

Jocelyne Vreede is a professor at University of Amsterdam, using molecular simulation to study nucleic acids in atomistic detail. She will host 2 students within MeChaNiSM to characterise how modified bases and small molecules affect nucleic acid structure and dynamics. @vreedecompchem.bsky.social

Fredrik Westerlund is a Professor at Chalmers University of Technology, working with single-molecule biophysics for nucleic acid analysis. Within MeChaNiSM he will host 2 students working on mechanical characterization of nucleic acids and nucleic acid-drug interactions. @westerlundlab.bsky.social

Over the coming weeks, we will introduce the academic PIs of the MeChaNiSM consortium one by one, please follow us for regular updates.