Cell Biology Center Colloquium 0012

Program

Lecturer

Prof. William Earnshaw (University of Edinburgh)

Title

New insights into mitotic chromosome assembly and structure

Abstract

The discovery of mitotic chromosomes by Flemming in 1882 established a major question in Cell Biology that remains unanswered all of these years later: How does the interphase nucleus transform itself into the thread-like mitotic chromosomes that segregate the genome in mitosis? I will discuss some work from our lab and those of our collaborators suggesting that mitotic chromosome formation involves two processes; compaction of the chromatin, and a functionally distinct architectural remodeling that disassembles the structure of the interphase nucleus and causes a helical transformation that results in the formation of individual chromatids. I will also describe recent work from our group that yielded the very surprising finding that in fact, only about 60 - 70 percent of those chromosomes observed by Flemming was made up of chromatin. A significant fraction — possibly up to 40% — of the volume of mitotic chromosomes is actually comprised of a mysterious highly complex layer that surrounds the chromatin. This chromosome periphery compartment helps to keep chromosomes separate in mitosis and has an important role in efficient reactivation of the nucleoli after mitosis.

There will be a seminar by Dr. William Earnshaw (University of Edinburgh), who is a top leader of chromosome research (an EMBO member, FRS, FRSE, FMedSci). You are welcome to attend. See also the attached pdf.

• Cell Biology Center Colloquium 0012 flyer
• Institute of Innovative Research (IIR)