Spakowitz Research Group

Bridging the gap between the molecular-level packaging of DNA and genome-scale processes involving chromatin requires an in-depth quantitative prediction of DNA organization and dynamics. The organization and dynamics of chromosomal DNA play a pivotal role in a range of biological processes, including gene regulation, homologous recombination, replication, and segregation. Due to the central role that DNA topology and epigenetic modifications play in human disease, it is paramount to have a robust quantitative prediction for the impact of such effects on chromosomal 3D organization and function. This quantitative model would be instrumental in determining the conditions where gene expression is altered and in establishing strategies to correct these variations. Our research group utilizes analytical theory and computational modeling to establish a predictive theoretical model of chromosomal organization and dynamics.