Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Euchromatin01:01

Euchromatin

9.1K
The extent of chromatin compaction can be studied by staining chromatin using specific DNA binding dyes. Under the microscope, the dense-compacted regions take up more dye, appearing darker, while the less-compact areas take up less dye and appear lighter. Based on the compaction level, chromatins are classified into two primary forms – euchromatin and heterochromatin.
Euchromatin is the less dense region of the chromatin and stains lighter. Euchromatin contains histone H3 extensively...
9.1K
Chromatin Packaging01:32

Chromatin Packaging

19.9K
Each human somatic cell contains 6 billion base pairs of DNA. Each base pair is 0.34 nm long, meaning each diploid cell contains a staggering 2 meters of DNA. This long DNA strand is packed inside a nucleus measuring only 10-20 microns in diameter with the help of specialized DNA-binding proteins called histones. Together they form a compact DNA-protein complex called chromatin. The chromatin is further compacted into higher-order structures. The highest level of compaction is achieved during...
19.9K
Chromatin Packaging02:21

Chromatin Packaging

22.5K
Each human somatic cell contains 6 billion base-pairs of DNA. Each base-pair is 0.34 nm long, which means that each diploid cell contains a staggering 2 meters of DNA. How is such a long DNA strand packed inside a nucleus measuring only 10 - 20 microns in diameter? 
The chromatin
In combination with specialized DNA binding protein called Histones, the DNA double helix forms a compact DNA: protein complex called chromatin. The chromatin itself is further compacted into higher-order...
22.5K
Duplication of Chromatin Structure02:05

Duplication of Chromatin Structure

7.4K
The process of chromosome duplication during cell division requires genome-wide disruption and re-assembly of chromatin. The chromatin structure must be accurately inherited, reassembled, and maintained in the daughter cells to ensure lineage propagation.
The basic unit of the chromatin is the nucleosome, consisting of DNA wrapped around octameric histone proteins and short stretches of linker DNA separating individual nucleosomes. The histone proteins within the nucleosome have their...
7.4K
Heterochromatin02:38

Heterochromatin

18.9K
The extent of chromatin compaction can be studied by staining chromatin using specific DNA binding dyes. Under the microscope, the dense-compacted regions that take up more dye are called heterochromatin. Heterochromatin is further classified into two forms – constitutive heterochromatin and facultative heterochromatin.
Constitutive heterochromatin: It is a highly compact region of chromatin that is mostly concentrated in the centromere and telomere. Unlike euchromatin, the amino acid at...
18.9K
Polytene Chromosomes02:04

Polytene Chromosomes

11.1K
Polytene chromosomes are giant interphase chromosomes with several DNA strands placed side by side. They were discovered in the year 1881 by Balbiani in salivary glands, intestine, muscles, malpighian tubules, and hypoderm of larvae Chironomus plumosus. Hence, these are also called "Salivary gland chromosomes." These are found in insects of the order Diptera and Collembola; in certain organs of mammals; and synergids, antipodes of flowering plants. Polytene chromosomes are also...
11.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Calorie restriction modulates beta cell IP<sub>3</sub>R activity to regulate Ca<sup>2+</sup> homeostasis and cell network connectivity.

Cell calcium·2026
Same author

Disruption to TFEB signaling and autophagy in newly formed oligodendrocytes leads to aberrant generation of CNS myelin.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026
Same author

Therapeutic targeting of fibrin-microglia interactions ameliorates Alzheimer's disease-related hyperexcitability and brain network dysfunction.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Resilience to neuronal hyperactivity and restoration of the neuroimmune interactome by blocking fibrin-induced microglia activation in Alzheimers disease.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Adam9-deficient retinal pigment epithelium pseudopods maintain photoreceptor outer segment renewal despite subretinal space expansion.

The Journal of clinical investigation·2026
Same author

ER remodelling is a feature of ageing and depends on ER-phagy.

Nature cell biology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 25, 2026

Deciphering High-Resolution 3D Chromatin Organization via Capture Hi-C
09:32

Deciphering High-Resolution 3D Chromatin Organization via Capture Hi-C

Published on: October 14, 2022

4.6K

ChromEMT: Visualizing 3D chromatin structure and compaction in interphase and mitotic cells.

Horng D Ou1, Sébastien Phan2, Thomas J Deerinck2

  • 1Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|July 29, 2017
PubMed
Summary

This study reveals the 3D structure of chromatin using ChromEM tomography, showing it's a disordered chain that compacts DNA differently in interphase and mitosis.

More Related Videos

A Cell Free Assay to Study Chromatin Decondensation at the End of Mitosis
11:04

A Cell Free Assay to Study Chromatin Decondensation at the End of Mitosis

Published on: December 19, 2015

10.9K
Live Cell Imaging to Assess the Dynamics of Metaphase Timing and Cell Fate Following Mitotic Spindle Perturbations
07:14

Live Cell Imaging to Assess the Dynamics of Metaphase Timing and Cell Fate Following Mitotic Spindle Perturbations

Published on: September 20, 2019

8.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 25, 2026

Deciphering High-Resolution 3D Chromatin Organization via Capture Hi-C
09:32

Deciphering High-Resolution 3D Chromatin Organization via Capture Hi-C

Published on: October 14, 2022

4.6K
A Cell Free Assay to Study Chromatin Decondensation at the End of Mitosis
11:04

A Cell Free Assay to Study Chromatin Decondensation at the End of Mitosis

Published on: December 19, 2015

10.9K
Live Cell Imaging to Assess the Dynamics of Metaphase Timing and Cell Fate Following Mitotic Spindle Perturbations
07:14

Live Cell Imaging to Assess the Dynamics of Metaphase Timing and Cell Fate Following Mitotic Spindle Perturbations

Published on: September 20, 2019

8.8K

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • The hierarchical model of chromatin structure, based on in vitro and electron microscopy (EM) studies, proposes hierarchical folding of DNA-nucleosome polymers into larger fibers and mitotic chromosomes.
  • Visualizing chromatin in its native state (in situ) has been challenging, limiting understanding of its three-dimensional (3D) organization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To visualize the ultrastructure and 3D organization of chromatin polymers, megabase domains, and mitotic chromosomes in situ.
  • To challenge and refine existing models of chromatin folding and compaction.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a novel fluorescent dye that stains DNA and enhances contrast for EM.
  • Application of ChromEM tomography (ChromEMT) for high-resolution 3D imaging of chromatin within cells.

Main Results:

  • Chromatin exists as a disordered, curvilinear chain with a diameter of 5 to 24 nanometers.
  • This chain is packed with varying 3D concentration distributions in interphase versus mitosis.
  • Chromatin chains exhibit diverse particle arrangements and bending patterns for structural compaction.

Conclusions:

  • The established hierarchical model of chromatin folding is likely an oversimplification.
  • Chromatin compaction is achieved through a disordered chain packing mechanism, adaptable for different cellular states.
  • ChromEMT provides unprecedented insights into the native 3D organization of chromatin.