Mechanosensation and Mechanics of Chromatin Organization

Dr. Benjamin Seelbinder
MPI of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden

Remote via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89228064417

Host: Prof. Dr. Aránzazu del Campo

Abstract

The nucleus is the central organelle in eukaryotic cells that harbors most of the genomic content. In human cells, this amounts to ~ 2m of genetic material in a nucleus with an average diameter of 10 μm. To maintain control of this vast amount of information, and coordinate gene transcription across different cell types, the nucleus features a hierarchical organization of chromatin (packaged DNA) and other subnuclear bodies. Hence, there is an effort to understand how this intricate nuclear organization arises from the interactions of its constituents and how the spatial organization of chromatin is utilized as a mechanism to control gene transcription.

In my presentation, I would like to share the insights me and my colleges gained when studying the phenomena of nuclear organization, using live cell microscopy and image analysis tools. Specifically, I want to talk about how cells reorganize chromatin in response to their mechanical environments (nuclear mechanosensation), and how newly developed microscope techniques can allow us to spatially map out nuclear material properties that underly its organization.