DNA - Structure determination of genomes

The three-dimensional organization of the genome plays important, yet poorly understood roles in gene regulation. Detailed insights into chromosome conformation will greatly contribute to a more complete characterization of genome regulation. The spatial organization of chromosomes is reflected in, and driven by, cis- and trans interactions between genomic elements.
We have recently developed a hybrid method (computational and experimental) based on the hypothesis that the spatial conformation of chromosomes can be determined by using comprehensive in vivo chromatin interaction data sets.
Our collaborator, Dr. Job Dekker from the University of Massachusetts Medical School (US), have developed the 5C/HiC technology, which we are combining with the Integrative Modeling Platform (IMP) to determi- ne the higher-order chromatin folding of genomic domains (Figure 1) and whole genomes.

Figure 1.
Structure of the α-globin domain in the chromosome 16 in human fibroblast cells. (Baù, D. et al. The three-dimen- sional folding of the α-globin gene domain reveals formation of chromatin globules. 2011. Nat Struct Mol Biol 18, 107–114.)