Research summary
The genome forms a gel, similar to Jell-O, that is decorated with binding sites that attract proteins that have a particular property. These proteins can cause the water in the cell to separate, similar to how oil separates from water, potentially creating a micro-environment that prevents the inappropriate expression of genes.
Dr. Michael Hendzel, Canada Research Chair in Genome Cell Biology and Dynamics, is using state-of-the-art microscopes to determine if and how specialized micro-environments are assembled in the cell nucleus. He and his research team are determining how molecules move through the nucleus and how they are prevented from entering these dense gels containing unused and potentially harmful sequences. They are also tracking individual molecules’ movements as they make their way through the nucleus and encounter different environments to better understand whether the genome’s gel formation is used to adapt to changes in the forces that the DNA experiences.