Nuclear Architecture

The cell nucleus is not just a repository of genetic information but a dynamic regulatory hub where molecular mechanisms govern gene expression and cell fate. In this course, we explore how transcriptional regulators, chromatin remodelers, and histone modifications encode and transmit regulatory signals—translating environmental and developmental cues into stable or reversible gene expression states. We examine how these molecular switches orchestrate processes such as stem cell differentiation, lineage commitment, and how their dysregulation contributes to diseases like cancer. Particular emphasis is placed on the physical principles underlying nuclear organization, transcriptional regulation, and epigenetic memory. Students will integrate concepts from molecular biology and biophysics to gain a systems-level understanding of nuclear function in health and disease.

Course Outline:

• Structure and Function of Nuclear Components:
  Explore the roles of key nuclear elements, including DNA, RNA, nucleoli, nuclear bodies, speckles, and the nuclear membrane, in maintaining cellular integrity and regulation.

• Organization of Genetic Information in the Nucleus:
  Investigate how DNA is packaged from histones to higher-order chromatin structures, and how specialized regions such as centromeres and telomeres contribute to genome stability and function.

• Chromatin Dynamics and Gene Regulation:
  Examine how chromatin is dynamically remodeled by chromatin regulators, including remodelers and transcription factors, to activate or silence specific genes. Emphasis on the molecular mechanisms governing transcriptional control.

• Nuclear-Cytoplasmic Communication:
  Delve into the mechanisms of nuclear transport and the role of nuclear pores in mediating communication between the nucleus and cytoplasm, focusing on the regulation of protein and RNA trafficking.

• Key Methodologies for Studying Nuclear Processes:
  Review cutting-edge techniques used to study nuclear dynamics, such as ChIP-seq, single-molecule imaging, and live-cell assays, and their application in uncovering nuclear function.

• Breakthrough Discoveries in Nuclear Biology:
  Discuss landmark discoveries that have shaped our current understanding of nuclear processes, from chromatin structure to nuclear transport, and their implications for cellular function and disease.

For a preview of the course content you can find links to Youtube animations in the "course content" section on Brightspace.