The Clore Center for Biological Physics
Date:
Lecture / Seminar
Time: 12:45-14:30
Title: Chromosomes as communication and memory machines
Location: Nella and Leon Benoziyo Physics Library
Lecturer: Prof. Leonid Mirny
Abstract: Chromosomes are long polymers of genomic DNA decorated with proteins. We are int ... Read more Chromosomes are long polymers of genomic DNA decorated with proteins. We are interested in understanding how cells fold chromosomes to read, write, and process genetic and epigenetic information. Could the way chromosomes are folded carry information itself?Recent works from my group and others have shown that chromosomes function as active polymers. First, we discovered that chromosomes are folded by the ATP-dependent process of loop extrusion, where molecular motors form progressively larger loops. This collective action of nanometer-sized motors shapes micrometer-sized chromosomes. We demonstrated how this mechanism can also establish complex long-range communication between regulatory elements and genes.Second, we found that chromosome folding plays a key role in storing "epigenetic memory, " which refers to patterns of chemical marks along the genome. Although these marks are subject to loss and spreading by enzymes, when genome folding is influenced by the marks, the pattern can be preserved for hundreds of cell divisions. We also identified a parallel between this mechanism of epigenetic memory and associative memory in neural networks, suggesting that this system may be capable of performing more complex information-processing tasks.Students interested in meeting the speaker are invited to register here:https://forms.gle/eE38rBziWH8D8cw1AFOR THE LATEST UPDATES AND CONTENT ON SOFT MATTER AND BIOLOGICAL PHYSICS AT THE WEIZMANN, VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://www.biosoftweizmann.com/Close abstract
