The magic of unraveling genome architecture and function

Cosma, Maria Pia; Neguembor, Maria Victoria

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112361

The magic of unraveling genome architecture and function

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Cosma MP, Neguembor MV. The magic of unraveling genome architecture and function. Cell Rep. 2023 Apr 25;42(4):112361. DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112361

Abstract

Over the last decades, technological breakthroughs in super-resolution microscopy have allowed us to reach molecular resolution and design experiments of unprecedented complexity. Investigating how chromatin is folded in 3D, from the nucleosome level up to the entire genome, is becoming possible by "magic" (imaging genomic), i.e., the combination of imaging and genomic approaches. This offers endless opportunities to delve into the relationship between genome structure and function. Here, we review recently achieved objectives and the conceptual and technical challenges the field of genome architecture is currently undertaking. We discuss what we have learned so far and where we are heading. We elucidate how the different super-resolution microscopy approaches and, more specifically, live-cell imaging have contributed to the understanding of genome folding. Moreover, we discuss how future technical developments could address remaining open questions.