The Riback Lab studies how the organization and function of living cells emerge from the physical chemistry of molecules. We aim to uncover the fundamental principles that govern how biomolecules assemble into condensates and other dynamic structures that coordinate essential biochemical processes — and how these processes go awry in cancer and other diseases.
Our work bridgesmolecular and cellular biology with physics and chemistry through quantitative microscopy, allowing us to understand how cells use self-organization to control biochemistry. By illuminating molecular interactions and internal structure within condensates, we seek to reveal how physical principles drive complex cellular behaviors — and how their breakdown contributes to disease.
We are developing new tools to measure condensate organization and dynamics inside living cells, linking their nanometer-scale architecture to macromolecular assembly, transport, and reaction control. Building on these insights, we are exploring how condensate organization adapts to cellular demands and how its failure can promote oncogenic transformation.
We are a diverse and collaborative team spanning backgrounds from pure biology to pure physics, united by a shared curiosity about how molecular interactions create order from chaos inside cells.
If this interests you please don't hesitate to contact us!
