Cell division is a crucial process that forms the basis of all life on earth. It involves the accurate segregation of genetic material between cells, ensuring that each new cell receives a complete and identical set of chromosomes. But how does this intricate process work? And what role does cohesin, a protein complex, play in it?
A recent study published in Science by Fena Ochs, a Group Leader and Associate Professor at Biotech Research & Innovation Center (BRIC) University of Copenhagen, delves deep into the world of cell division to provide some answers.
Ochs and her team used cutting-edge super-resolution microscopy to zoom into human cells and visualize cohesin complexes at an unprecedented level of detail. What they discovered was remarkable: distinct populations of cohesin complexes, each with its own specific role in our cells.
This breakthrough not only advances our fundamental understanding of cell division but also holds promise for many other research fields, says Ochs.
The study revealed two main populations of cohesin complexes within cells. The first is responsible for sister chromatid cohesion, which is essential for generating healthy new cells during division. The second population is responsible for loop extrusion, the process that compacts our DNA to fit into our cells and promotes important interactions between genetic elements.
The technique used by Ochs and her team is based on a type of super-resolution microscopy called Structured Illumination Microscopy. This technology has been further developed for quantitative imaging at the single molecule level, allowing researchers to study molecular processes in intact cells with minimal disturbance.
With our new microscopy approach, we now have the opportunity to image molecular processes in intact cells at incredibly high resolution, explains Ochs. We’ve just acquired the new microscope, so this is only the beginning.
While this study was carried out at the University of Oxford, where the technology was invented, Ochs plans to continue her research at BRIC University of Copenhagen.
This groundbreaking study not only sheds light on the role of cohesin in cell division but also showcases the power of single-molecule super-resolution imaging. It opens up new possibilities for studying biological processes in their natural environment and has the potential to advance research in various fields.
Reference: https://phys.org/news/2024-03-secrets-cell-division-revealed-edge.html
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