What We Do

We build AI-guided, physics-based whole-cell computational models of bacteria and synthetic cells at near-atomistic resolution. Uniquely in our lab, every biomolecule is an explicitly resolved physical object whose interactions are modeled to recapitulate transcription, translation, ribogenesis, and other core processes. We draw on foundational work in colloid physics, cell biophysics, and biochemistry to bring a truly cross-disciplinary toolkit to these problems. A major current thrust is modeling ribosome biogenesis to enable autonomous synthetic cells, engineer ribosomes that synthesize custom proteins, and probe how matter becomes life.

Our vision

To radically expand what is possible in cell modeling by teaming with a cohort of experimental partners who build synthetic cells, engineer ribosomes, and probe living matter in the lab. Together, we aim to create predictive whole-cell “digital twins” of natural and synthetic cells and usher in a new era of biotechnology, where cells are programmable factories for medicine, biosecurity, and bespoke materials with properties engineered at near-atomistic resolution.