Biomechanical regulation of epigenetics and chromatin organization in single living cells

Mechanical forces are known to play a key role in regulating various cellular functions that control human development, cancer, disease, and aging. It, however, remains elusive how mechanical cues regulate biochemical mechanisms in the nucleus that control cellular decision-making. These mechanisms include epigenetic modification, chromatin organization, and gene expression. It is, therefore, highly important to investigate force-induced regulation of these mechanisms to better understand human physiology and disease. In this research, we aim at answering two key questions: one, how mechanical forces regulate epigenetics in tumor repopulating cells (TRCs), and two, how these forces unfold chromatin and induce gene expression in single living cells. Our findings suggest that mechanical forces play critical roles in regulating nuclear structure and function. Biomechanical cues can propagate deep inside the nucleus and regulate epigenetics, chromatin organization, and gene expression.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Tajik, Arash

Contributors dc:contributor

• Wang, Ning
• Wang, Yingxiao
• Cheng, Jianjun
• Nam, SungWoo
• Ma, Jian

• Biomechanics
• Cell Mechanics
• Mechanotransduction
• Epigenetics
• Chromatin Organization

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2015 Arash Tajik

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/78729

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/78729