Lucas Farnung

Lucas Farnung, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Cell Biology at Harvard Medical School (HMS), affiliated with the Cell Biology Department. He leads the Farnung Lab, which focuses on understanding chromatin dynamics during DNA replication and transcription. His research integrates biochemical, biophysical, and structural biology approaches to elucidate how chromatin structures influence epigenetic regulation and gene expression.

Education: Dr. Farnung completed his doctoral thesis at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry. He furthered his expertise as a postdoctoral fellow and project leader at the Max Planck Institute, studying chromatin transcription mechanisms.

Research Interests: His work addresses fundamental questions about how transcription and replication machineries navigate chromatin barriers. Key areas include nucleosome transcription dynamics, histone modifications, and the role of chromatin remodelers in maintaining epigenomic integrity. The lab employs cutting-edge techniques like cryo-electron microscopy to visualize molecular interactions.

Awards: In 2025, Dr. Farnung was named a HHMI Freeman Hrabowski Scholar, recognizing his contributions to chromatin biology.

Grants & Advising: While specific grants are not listed, his high-impact publications (e.g., on SARS-CoV-2 polymerase mechanisms) suggest NIH or HHMI funding. He advises a lab focused on structural and mechanistic studies of chromatin processes.

Labs/Teams: The Farnung Lab collaborates with institutions like the Max Planck Institute and utilizes HMS resources for structural biology. Ongoing projects aim to link chromatin mechanics to cell differentiation and disease mechanisms.