Chromatin and Genome Integrity

Our research

Our lab investigates how chromatin is assembled and remodelled and how it maintains the integrity of the human genome. Chromatin is a highly dynamic structure that is continuously reorganised during DNA replication, transcription, and DNA repair – processes that are essential for preserving genetic information and cell function. These transitions are coordinated by specialised chromatin-associated proteins that regulate chromatin structure and genome accessibility. Chromatin organisation, and the epigenetic information it carries, can vary between cell types. In our lab, we combine biochemical approaches, advanced microscopy, and targeted protein degradation in human cells – including induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and iPSC-derived neurons – to dissect how chromatin organisation safeguards genome stability and cell identity, thereby protecting against human disease.

Aims

• Define how chromatin assembly contributes to the maintenance of genome integrity
• Determine how chromatin cross-talks with DNA repair mechanisms
• Understand how these mechanisms operate across different cell types, with a focus on iPSCs and cells of the neuronal lineage

Impact

Chromatin aberrations have been associated to human disease and ageing. Our work will provide fundamental insight into how chromatin safeguards genome and epigenome integrity across diverse cell types. These mechanisms are likely to be especially important in long-lived cells, such as neurons and stem cells, which must preserve their genetic and epigenetic information for years while continuously facing stressors such as DNA damage. Understanding these processes will be key to uncovering how genome integrity is maintained to preserve long-term human health.

Team

Giulia Saredi

Principal Investigator, giulia.saredi@med.lu.se

Josefin Hwasser

Project Assistant, josefin [dot] hwasser [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se (josefin[dot]hwasser[at]med[dot]lu[dot]se)

Sylvie Tesson

Research Engineer / Lab manager (shared with the Douse Group), sylvie.tesson@med.lu.se

Alessia Bergamaschi

Master Student, alessia [dot] bergamaschi [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se