Dr. Richard Berry

Biography

Richard Berry is a Professor of Biological Physics at the University of Oxford, where his research focuses on the interplay between molecular biophysics and nanoscience. He leads the Oxford Molecular Motors group, specializing in the mechanics and energetics of rotary molecular machines, such as the bacterial flagellar motor and F₁F₀-ATP synthase. Using advanced optical techniques, including fluorescence microscopy, interferometry, and optical magnetic tweezers, his lab quantifies torque and assembly of tiny engines in living cells with nanometer and sub-millisecond resolution. Berry’s contributions extend to method development in diagnostics, digital holography, synthetic biology, and biophysical instrumentation. His work aims to improve the understanding of living machines at the molecular level through the application of optical techniques to measure motion at an unprecedented scale. Berry’s insights into rotary molecular motors, particularly the Bacterial Flagellar Motor powered by ion flow across membranes, enhance the knowledge of how these motors provide propulsive force allowing cells to swim. By employing novel forms of light microscopy, his research can track nanometer-scale movements using fluorescent molecules, thereby contributing significantly to the fields of biophotonics and molecular biophysics.

Research Interests