by
Prof.Mario Nicodemi(Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II)
→
Europe/Rome
Aula Conversi (Dipartimento di Fisica - Ed. G. Marconi)
Aula Conversi
Dipartimento di Fisica - Ed. G. Marconi
Description
Recent experimental advancements in Molecular Biology have revealed that chromosomes in the nucleus of cells are far from randomly distributed in space. They interact to form a complex three-dimensional architecture serving vital functional purposes, disruptions being linked to diseases such as cancer. Yet, the mechanisms underlying such complex patterns, as well as the molecular factors that shape and regulate them remain still largely unknown. Quantitative models are being developed to help with the comprehension of experimental data. I’ll discuss, in particular, recent advancements deriving from the application of models of classical polymer physics and the emerging picture of chromosome folding based on the new wave of available data. Polymer physics is also guiding the design of new targeted experiments, hopefully improving our understanding of related diseases.
