Klein

We study meiotic recombination and chromosome segregation in S. cerevisiae as model organism, to understand the interplay between chromosome structure and recombination. During meiosis, the genetic content of a diploid cell is reduced to half, a prerequisite for the production of gametes and for sexual reproduction. Our experience shows, that the important processes are conserved between yeast and man, so that many of our findings can be generalized

We study meiotic recombination and chromosome segregation in S. cerevisiae as model organism, to understand the interplay between chromosome structure and recombination. During meiosis, the genetic content of a diploid cell is reduced to half, a prerequisite for the production of gametes and for sexual reproduction. Our experience shows, that the important processes are conserved between yeast and man, so that many of our findings can be generalized.

Chromosomes are organized as dynamic structures with distinct micro-domains, such as axis and loop regions, and macro-domains, such as recombination rich – or poor regions, centromeres, telomeres and others. In meiosis, cohesins and axial element proteins shape the chromosome and mediate recombination as well as correct chromosome segregation. We have established a high-resolution map of protein-chromosome interactions by microarray-analysis, which we currently improve using deep sequencing. We also study in detail the process of chromosome synapsis, a structure that mainly exists to fine-tune recombination pathways. Eventually, these pathways decide over the integrity of the resulting gamete’s genome, and thus over the health of the new individual, that originates from these gametes.