Genome organization and function
Physics of 4D genome
The spatio-temporal (4D) organization of the genome plays a pivotal role in the regulation of genome activity (function) such as gene transcription and replication. Recent advances in experimental approaches enable to characterize both genome conformations and function at an unprecedented spatial, temporal and genomic resolution and this at a genome-wide level. Coupling computational approaches from theoretical/statistical physics to these massive genome-wide data, we aim to develop low-dimensional physical model to better understand the dynamical link between structure and function occuring at multiple scales. In collaboration with several experimental biologist groups, we are currently developping models of (1) passive and active nucleosome formation and positioning, (2) higher-order 3D compaction into the chromatin fiber, (3) mesoscopic « epigenetic » 3D domains formation and maintenance, (4) large-scale chromosomal compartmentalization.