Probing chromatin states with single molecule microscopy

Recent research showed that the emergence of resistance in fungi can be linked to epigenetic mutations. Those are not changes in the DNA sequence, but rather in the chromatin environment.

Some parts of the genome are packaged in heterochromatin: in those areas, the DNA is bunched up much more tightly and thus not easily accessible, so genes are repressed. We want to investigate how specific heterochromatin regions are formed and removed.

I am especially interested to find out why two seemingly identical cells can acquire differences in their epigenetic landscape and thus develop different phenotypes.

To visualise cell-to-cell variations, I plan on using real-time fluorescent imaging, to track different proteins that are known to regulate heterochromatin.

From the amount of protein and the movement of the fluorescent molecules, we can better understand how the heterochromatin distribution in individual cells changes in response to stress.

Additionally, I am developing a probe, which can differentiate between different chromatin environments at specific locations.

Understanding the development of these epigenetic differences is important, as they are likely involved in the development of antifungal resistance in pathogenic fungi.