Native nucleosomes intrinsically encode genome organization principles

Published today in Nature, scientists in the lab of Taekjip Ha at Boston Children’s Hospital have discovered a surprising feature hidden in the tiny building blocks of our genome known as the nucleosomes. Their findings suggest that these molecules, which look like little 'tuna cans', come pre-programmed with a physical code dictating their role in genome architecture, instructing the genome to assemble into unique 3D structures to suit the need for functions of different bodily organs. This insight could have broad implications, offering new clues into the maintenance of cellular function and the development of diseases such as autoimmunity and cancer.