Colleen Caldwell

Dr. Colleen Caldwell is a Researcher at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, affiliated with both the Faculty of Science and the LaserLaB - Molecular Biophysics group. She holds a dual role as a Research Associate in the Physics of Living Systems and Molecular Biophysics. Her work focuses on molecular biophysics, particularly the dynamics of DNA repair proteins like RPA and helicases, as well as structural biology of DNA-protein interactions. Key research areas include single-molecule analysis, DNA replication, and the mechanics of mitosis.

Her recent studies explore topics such as cohesin dynamics in mitosis, nucleotide excision repair mechanisms, and the development of computational tools for analyzing single-molecular data. She has received notable funding through the 2024 grant on CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) research.

• Key Research Tools: Optical tweezers, fluorescence microscopy, single-molecule TIRFM, and stochastic modeling.
• Key Collaborations: Global collaborations in biophysics and molecular biology, with recent work involving teams in Europe and North America.
• Grants: CCCTC-binding Factor (CTCF) grant (2024) focuses on genome organization and transcription factor dynamics.

Dr. Caldwell’s articles highlight interdisciplinary approaches, integrating experimental biophysics with computational analysis to unravel molecular mechanisms in DNA repair and replication. Her work bridges structural biology and cellular processes, contributing to understanding genetic stability and disease-related mechanisms.