Johan Elf is a leading researcher at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology at Uppsala University. The department is focused on understanding how living organisms function at the cellular level and Johan, together with his research group in Molecular Systems Biology, studies dynamic processes in bacterial cells using sensitive optical methods and quantitative models.

The focus in genetic coding

His most important work is in genetic coding, algorithms for space-dependent stochastic simulations, methods for tracking the movement of single molecules in living cells, and how transcription factors search the genetic code. Already in 2010, Johan Göran Gustafsson was awarded the Molecular Biology Prize “for his innovative and pioneering studies of the interaction between single proteins and DNA”.

Choice of microscope and technique

This type of work requires high-performance optical equipment and Johan has over the years invested in several inverted Nikon microscopes, Eclipse Ti-E, to be able to study these dynamic processes on a broad front. The research has been very successful and the results have been published in several scientific journals such as Science, Nature Methods and Nature Physics.

When asked what is important when choosing a microscope, Johan emphasizes that it must be stable in order to study the cells over time. “Nikon’s Perfect Focus System has been very valuable, as it is a system that uses hardware to ensure focus on the desired details over time. The microscope must also be flexible so that it can be expanded with the necessary peripheral equipment.

Very high optical resolution is of course a requirement to be able to perform single molecule tracking and here, among other things, the microscope methods TIRF and Super resolution are used together with proprietary microfluidic chips.

The ability to control the microscope from, among other things, the µManager software is also important to give users the opportunity to control the equipment in the most flexible way possible. Johan also says that support and service from the supplier is very important to ensure the functionality of the microscope and maintain a high level of activity.

Challenges faced

One of the biggest challenges researchers face is being able to recruit qualified staff, says Johan. “Of course, good funding is essential, and the group has good support from the Swedish Research Council, the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research and others. This gives them the opportunity to expand and continue our efforts to understand the molecular processes of cells. We at BergmanLabora continue our efforts to provide the best possible support and service and wish Johan Elf and his colleagues the best of luck!