Contact information
Dr Daniela Moralli
Research summary:
De novo human artificial chromosomes (HAC) are small, extrachromosomal elements, which possess a centromere and are able to replicate and segregate correctly as stable chromosomes. De novo HAC are formed by delivering vectors carrying centromere specific DNA (alpha satellite DNA) to target cells. Because they behave as autonomous chromosomes they can be used as a model to study complex chromosomal features such as the centromere. The aim of my project is to characterise the HAC structure and chromatin composition in different cells types, both immortalized cell line and stem cells, by using a combination of FISH (Fluorescent in situ hybridization) on metaphase spreads, and chromatin fibres, immunological techniques and chromatin immunoprecipitaion (ChIP).
A further interest is the identification of cellular factors involved in HAC formation and maintenance.
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Recent publications
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When the genome bluffs: a tandem duplication event during generation of a novel Agmo knockout mouse model fools routine genotyping
Journal article
Sailer S. et al, (2021), Cell & Bioscience, 11
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Altering the Binding Properties of PRDM9 Partially Restores Fertility across the Species Boundary
Journal article
Davies B. et al, (2021), Molecular Biology and Evolution
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Aluminum enters mammalian cells and destabilizes chromosome structure and number
Journal article
Tenan MR. et al, (2021), International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22
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Endogenous aldehyde accumulation generates genotoxicity and exhaled biomarkers in esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Journal article
Antonowicz S. et al, (2021), Nat Commun, 12
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Replacement of surgical vasectomy through the use of wild-type sterile hybrids
Journal article
Preece C. et al, (2021), Lab Animal, 50, 49 - 52
Research Areas:
Molecular biology, cellular biology, cytogenetics
Keywords:
Human artificial chromosomes, centromere, chromatin, chromosome stability