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Related Concept Videos

Inheritance of Chromatin Structures03:17

Inheritance of Chromatin Structures

Epigenetics is the study of inherited changes in a cell's phenotype without changing the DNA sequences. It provides a form of memory for the differential gene expression pattern to maintain cell lineage, position-effect variegation, dosage compensation, and maintenance of chromatin structures such as telomeres and centromeres. For example, the structure and location of the centromere on chromosomes are epigenetically inherited. Its functionality is not dictated or ensured by the underlying DNA...
Duplication of Chromatin Structure02:05

Duplication of Chromatin Structure

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...
Histone Modification02:32

Histone Modification

The histone proteins have a flexible N-terminal tail extending out from the nucleosome. These histone tails are often subjected to post-translational modifications such as acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. Particular combinations of these modifications form “histone codes” that influence the chromatin folding and tissue-specific gene expression.
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone deacetylase,...
Chromatin Packaging02:21

Chromatin Packaging

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 structures.
Chromatin Packaging01:32

Chromatin Packaging

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...
Heterochromatin02:38

Heterochromatin

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 9th...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 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

3D Chromatin Architecture During Early Development: New Methods and New Findings.

Eduardo Blanco-Olais1, Karina Jácome-López1, Rosario Pérez-Molina1

  • 1Molecular Genetics Department, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, Mexico.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|May 20, 2026
PubMed
Summary

New technologies map genome spatial organization and chromatin interactions. These studies reveal insights into gene regulation during development and disease, particularly in pluripotent cells and early embryogenesis.

Keywords:
Chromatin architectureDistal regulatory elementsGenome topology

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Generation of Genome-wide Chromatin Conformation Capture Libraries from Tightly Staged Early Drosophila Embryos
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Generation of Genome-wide Chromatin Conformation Capture Libraries from Tightly Staged Early Drosophila Embryos

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3D Multicolor DNA FISH Tool to Study Nuclear Architecture in Human Primary Cells
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3D Multicolor DNA FISH Tool to Study Nuclear Architecture in Human Primary Cells

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Last Updated: May 22, 2026

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

Published on: October 14, 2022

Generation of Genome-wide Chromatin Conformation Capture Libraries from Tightly Staged Early Drosophila Embryos
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Generation of Genome-wide Chromatin Conformation Capture Libraries from Tightly Staged Early Drosophila Embryos

Published on: October 3, 2018

3D Multicolor DNA FISH Tool to Study Nuclear Architecture in Human Primary Cells
11:25

3D Multicolor DNA FISH Tool to Study Nuclear Architecture in Human Primary Cells

Published on: January 25, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Genome spatial organization and chromatin interactions are critical for gene regulation.
  • Understanding these structures is key to deciphering developmental processes and disease mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review novel proximity-ligation-based and non-proximity-ligation-based technologies for studying genome spatial organization.
  • To highlight key findings from these technologies in pluripotent cells and early embryogenesis.
  • To discuss the role of chromatin conformation disruption in disease and cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Proximity-ligation-based assays (e.g., Hi-C) for capturing 3D genome structure.
  • Non-proximity-ligation-based methods for analyzing chromatin interactions.
  • Comparative analysis of different technological approaches.

Main Results:

  • Detailed characterization of genomic topological landscapes.
  • Identification of crucial chromatin interactions regulating gene expression during development.
  • Insights into gene dosage and spatiotemporal distribution of transcripts.

Conclusions:

  • Advanced technologies enable comprehensive analysis of genome organization.
  • Chromatin conformation plays a vital role in normal development and disease pathogenesis.
  • Further research into chromatin disruption can inform therapeutic strategies for cancer and other diseases.