DNA has long captured our imagination as the molecule of life. But beyond encoding genes, it also faces a physical challenge: how to fit nearly two meters of genetic material into a cell that is a million times smaller. This is not simply a packing problem: the cell must also carefully control which parts of the DNA are accessible at any given time for proper gene expression.
To achieve this, the organization of DNA inside the cell is governed on multiple length scales. At the smallest scale, DNA folding is governed by the principles of polymer physics. Specialized molecular machinery further organizes by forming loops and domains. The overall genome architecture then contributes to the mechanical response of the cell.
Jorine's research group asks how this multi-layered DNA architecture emerges and remains functional. By combining tools from physics, chemistry and biology, we study DNA across scales: from the mechanics of single molecules to the structural properties of the entire genome under force.
Huygens Colloquia
In the Faculty of Science, a great diversity of exciting research is going on. The Huygens Colloquia are a colloquium series by Faculty of Science employees for all faculty employees and students. Every month, a colleague will discuss their science and their latest results in an accessible way to a wider audience. Access is free and no registration is needed.
