3D-organization and dynamics of human genome

Faculty

Research Summary

Our research interest is to know how a long string of human genome is three-dimensionally organized in the cell, and how the human genome is read out for cellular proliferation, differentiation and development. For this purpose, we are using a unique combination of molecular cell biology and biophysics, such as single molecule imaging, superresolution imaging, X-ray scattering and computational simulation.

Human genome chromatin consists of irregularly folded 10-nm fibers and forms numerous chromatin domains in the cell nuclei. Chromatin dynamically behaves like “liquid”. NPC, nuclear pore complex; NE, nuclear envelope.

Selected Publications

Iida S, Shinkai S, Itoh Y, Tamura S, Kanemaki MT, Onami S, Maeshima K. Single-nucleosome imaging reveals steady-state motion of interphase chromatin in living human cells. Sci Adv. 2022 Jun 3;8(22):eabn5626.

Maeshima K. A phase transition for chromosome transmission when cells divide. Nature. 2022 Sep;609(7925):35-36.

Ide S, Tamura S, Maeshima K. Chromatin behavior in living cells: Lessons from single-nucleosome imaging and tracking. Bioessays. 2022 Jul;44(7):e2200043.

Ide S, Imai R, Ochi H, Maeshima K. Transcriptional suppression of ribosomal DNA with phase separation. Sci Adv. 2020 Oct 14;6(42):eabb5953.