Chromatin

Blog posts

The C-Trap uncovers new insights into the mechanisms for ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling

PICH (Plk1-interacting checkpoint helicase) belongs to the SNF2 family of ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers. However, what makes PICH unique is that it lacks a nucleotide-binding domain despite having a great affinity for bare DNA. Because of this molecular structure, it has been hypothesized that the binding of PICH to chromatinized bridges…

Chenlu Yu13 June 2023

Blog posts

Dynamic single-molecule analysis reveals non-linear stiffening of mitotic chromosomes

In a recent study performed by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the University of Copenhagen, researchers used LUMICKS’ u-Flux™ laminar flow microfluidics system together with optical tweezers and fluorescence microscopy – features combined in LUMICKS’ C-Trap® – to shed light on the structural organization of mitotic chromosomes. When preparing to undergo…

Chenlu Yu17 June 2022

Blog posts

C-Trap^® reveals how HP1α-mediated heterochromatin modulates its stability in response to applied forces

In a recent publication by Keenen et al. in eLife, the authors uncover the biophysical properties of heterochromatin protein 1α (HP1α) and present a new model on how it mediates DNA condensation and phase separation. Employing a combination of ensemble and single-molecule assays, they found that within phase-separated HP1α-DNA condensates,…

j.yeh9 June 2021

Blog posts

Distal bridging between nucleosomes by polycomb complex PRC2 identified with the C-Trap^®

A recent study published in PNAS used single-molecule force spectroscopy to examine unknown interaction mechanisms between polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) and chromatin. The authors evaluated arrays of multiple nucleosomes using their C-Trap® optical tweezers system and identified distal nucleosome bridging by PRC2. The findings provide a better understanding of…

j.yeh3 December 2020

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