Quantitative Super-Resolution Microscopy to Reveal Insights into Mesoscale Chromatin Organization

Lothar Schermelleh- Quantitative Super-Resolution Microscopy to Reveal Insights into Mesoscale Chromatin Organization Interference-based linear structured illumination microscopy (SIM) is a powerful technique for multi-color volumetric super-resolution imaging of single cells, such as obtaining contextual information about dense polymer structures like chromatin organization in mammalian cell nuclei. In this talk, Prof. Schermelleh will present recent work on the biological application of quantitative SIM to study the principles of functional chromatin organisation at the mesoscale and to investigate cell cycle-dependent cohesion complex organization relevant to sister chromatid cohesion and loop extrusion during the cell cycle. To achieve this, his group exploited the previously unrecognized potential of SIM to resolve single molecules and complexes, allowing them to quantify their stoichiometry and interaction behaviors in specific cellular states. These studies resulted in unexpected discoveries that enhance our understanding of fundamental cellular processes, underscoring the power of SIM as an unparalleled tool for biological discovery. About Lothar Schermelleh: Dr. Lothar Schermelleh is Professor of Bioimaging and Academic Director of the Micron Bioimaging Facility at the University of Oxford’s Department of Biochemistry. With over 80 publications in high-profile journals, Lothar is a leading expert in advanced biological imaging and super-resolution microscopy. He is known for his pioneering work in the biological application of super-resolution structured illumination microscopy (SIM) and the development of advanced live cell imaging methods, which have significantly contributed to the understanding of nuclear organization and (epi)genome biology. Along the way, Lothar’s group developed open-source computational analysis tools for standardized quality control and improved fluorescence labelling protocols for super-resolution imaging. His biological research focuses on understanding how mammalian genome activity is related to their 3D nuclear organization and uncovering the interplay of biophysical forces, cohesin complex activity, and epigenetic memory for regulating cell type-specific transcriptional programs during cell differentiation and in pathological states. Sponsored by the Center for Physical Genomics and Engineering, the Cancer and Physical Sciences Program at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, and NIH Grants T32GM142604 and U54CA268084