• Post category:Artwork

During division, cells disassemble their nucleus and release many independent chromosomes – but how are all those chromosomes enclosed in a single nucleus after mitosis?

The protein BAF cross-bridges DNA strands, allowing the cell to ‘knit’ a network of DNA around the chromosome ensemble and guide the nuclear membrane along the surface. This drawing illustrates BAF as beads that link the DNA strands into a network.

Congratulations to the Gerlich lab on this fantastic Cell paper!

Knitting With DNA
Following mitosis, a protein called BAF cross-bridges DNA strands within a knitted network of DNA to form a single nucleus.