GRANT-IN-AID FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ON INNOVATIVE AREASCHROMOSOME ORCHESTRATION SYSTEM（CHROMOSOME OS）

PURPOSE OF
THE RESEARCH PROJECT

Chromosomes play a fundamental role
in many biological processes.Previous research efforts have advanced our understanding of specific chromosomal events,
such as DNA transcription,replication, recombination, partitioning, and epigenetic modification.
One of the major future challenges in chromosome biology will be to provide an overall framework
of how these individual activities are orchestrated and coordinated to maximize their effects
in a variety of biological processes that evolve over time.

In this project, we will elucidate the overarching coordinating mechanism
that enables a whole set of chromosomes to act as a single functional entity,
in both space and time, a new concept that we term “chromosome orchestration system (OS).”

CONTENT OF
THE RESEARCH PROJECT

The main goal of this project is to describe the mechanisms
that regulate the functional unity of the chromosomes (chromosome OS)
by thoroughly examining the structural relationship between, and the hierarchy of,
individual chromosomal functions.

Chromosome OS

Open Recruitment

higher-order structure determination, systems biology, macromolecule modeling and simulation,
and physical property analysis of chromosomes and their environment.

To this end, this project is composed of two groups of researchers, one focusing on the 3D structure and the other on 4D information processing (Figure 1).

In order to develop a complete understanding of the chromosomal plasticity and functional coordination, the 3D Group will combine molecular devices that mediate individual chromosomal functions and attempt to reconstitute large-scale 3D structures in vitro.

The 4D Group, on the other hand, will explore the dynamic, time-dependent processes for 3D chromosomal structure change during the cell cycle, meiosis, differentiation, stress response, and pathogenesis. The Group will further identify the decoding machinery that converts structural alterations into biologically relevant information.

While the activities of these two groups will be closely related and mutually complementary for the most part, there will be several topics that are addressed from different perspectives. As a common methodological basis, a chromosome OS information platform and a chromosome model will be developed.

EXPECTED RESEARCH
ACHIEVEMENTS AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE

2D & 3D
visualization on different scales:
structural mapping of annotated data

• Evaluate the relationship between 3D structure and disease phenotypes (e.g., quantitative assessment of chromosome plasticity)
• Analyze the principles guiding the chromosome OS

1. We will create the chromosome OS information platform in this project, a knowledge-basedsystematic annotation and visualization tool for documenting and explaining chromosomal behaviors in dynamic cellular processes (Figure2). This tool will help clarify the molecular basis for chromosomal integrity and will enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of chromosome-linked diseases.
2. We will also create a computer-based model that simulates multiple chromosomal functions. This model will have the potential for future application to a variety of fields including disease control and animal breeding.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Questions for each members’ projects, Please Directly contact to each member.