Davide Michieletto

Royal Society Research Fellow

Davide’s research focuses on topological problems in soft matter and biology, in particular on the topology of DNA. In spite of their extreme length and confinement, our genomes are surprisingly well organised, functional and knot-free. This is achieved via sophisticated proteins that exert exquisite topological and mechanical control over the genome’s material properties. Inspired by this, Davide’s research group aim to discover new DNA-based topological soft materials and complex fluids that can change properties in time. The group’s expertise is rooted in polymer and statistical physics, and employ both simulations and experiments to answer their questions.

Davide recently received the British Biophysical Society Louise Jonson Early Career Award. In recognition of this award, Dr Michieletto presented a plenary lecture and received a commemorative medal at the Biennial BBS Meeting in September 2024 in Swansea.

Recent publications from the group include:
Topologically-crosslinked hydrogels based on γ-cyclodextrins

Topological linking determines elasticity in limited valence networks

Rheology and Viscoelasticity of Proteins and Nucleic Acids Condensates