Analysis of genome maintenance pathways by live cell imaging. (360G-Wellcome-087384_Z_08_Z)

Maintaining a stable genome is a vital necessity for all cells. This is achieved by coordinating DNA replication, DNA repair and the accurate segregation of the replicated sister chromatids (or homologous chromosomes in the case of meiosis) among the daughter cells. All these processes are subjected to complex and dynamic regulation and take place in different cellular compartments at different times in the cell cycle. Accurate and extensive observation and analysis of these processes in living cells is crucial to unravel the complex mechanism of the different genome maintenance pathways and requires advances imaging technologies. This proposal comprises a variety of research projects that are primarily focused on the analysis of genome maintenance pathways using live cell imaging. We are proposing to analyze chromosome segregation during meiosis, visualize the formation and dissolution of DNA double strand break repair complexes, checkpoint proteins, centrosomes, chromosomal passenger proteins during mitosis, and vesicle trafficking in neurons. What these projects have in common is a requirement for the analysis of living cells using up to date imaging technology. A Delta Vision imaging station would therefore be of great benefit for our research on genome stability.