How dividing cells adapt to karyotypic evolution
Alterations in chromosome number and size are hallmarks of cancer, and yet they are also crucial for species evolution. Recent insight on chromosome structure and segregation, together with significant advances in genomic sequencing, established previously underappreciated parallels between the mechanisms of karyotypic evolution during speciation and cancer. Importantly, alterations in chromosome number and size pose significant challenges for the cell division machinery. However, how dividing cells adapt to cope with karyotypic alterations remains an outstanding fundamental question with strong clinical implications. To address this, we have been using an innovative approach that integrates super-resolution microscopy, large-scale 3D cryo-electron tomography reconstructions, computational modelling and cell fusion experiments in Indian and Chinese muntjacs, two closely related deer species with identical genomes, but extremely divergent chromosome number (2n=6/7 vs. 2n=46, respectively) and size. Here I will discuss our recent progress on how karyotypic alterations impact key cell division mechanisms underlying chromosome segregation fidelity in mammals.
- Cell Division
- Super-resolution
Speaker
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Hélder Maiato
Chromosome Instab. & Dynamics Lab
Helder Maiato holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Porto and he is currently at the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S) and the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Porto. His research focuses on the mechanisms governing chromosome segregation in normal physiology, disease, and evolution. His pioneering studies on CLASP proteins have significantly advanced our understanding of mitotic spindle assembly and function. More recently, his team uncovered t... read more