3D folding of the genome: Theoretical model helps explain how cell identity is preserved when cells divide

MIT study proposes a theoretical model that helps explain how memories are passed from generation to generation when cells divide.

Theoretical model suggests that within each cell's nucleus, the 3D folding pa about 30,000 genome determines which parts of the genome will be marked by chemical modifications.

After a cell copies its DNA hundreds rks are partially lost, but each daughter cell can easily restore these marks.

Pattern of marks can be thought of as analogous to the patterns of connections formed between neurons that fire together in a neural network.

Researchers found that eventuall half eader-writer enzyme activity would lead to the entire genome being covered in epigenetic modifications.

When they altered the mode MIT o make the enzyme weaker, it didn't cover enough of the genome. MIT MIT News Massachusetts Institute of Technology Journal Owen up to hundreds between 0.1 and 1 percent Epigenetic Mirny hundreds maryFeed_highLightText__NxlGi">Owen two one __NxlGi">about half Jeremy Owen Ph.D. Mirny heterochromatin Mirny Din Leonid Mirny /span> MIT "su Institute for Medical Engineering and Science and the Department of Physics