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The Mattiroli group studies chromatin dynamics during DNA replication to understand how chromatin organization is propagated through cell division.
Chromatin organisation determines cell identity. Chromatin encodes the genetic and epigenetic information of the cell. Genetic and epigenetic information need to be accurately propagated through cell division, to prevent transformations that lead to diseases such as cancer. At every cell cycle, DNA and chromatin organization are replicated. The mechanisms that control the replication of chromatin structures are largely unknown.
We use biochemical, structural and cell biology approaches to study chromatin dynamics during DNA replication at the molecular level. Moreover, we aim to understand how chromatin replication affects cellular life and disease development.
Mechanism of nucleosome assembly during DNA replication
A network of histone chaperones control chromatin dynamics during DNA replication. How these activities are integrated in this process remains largely unclear. We have developed a quantitative nucleosome assembly (NAQ) assay that measures nucleosome formation in vitro. We have used this assay to study the mechanism of action of the chromatin assembly factor 1 (CAF-1). CAF-1 orchestrates chromatin assembly during DNA replication.
We are now interested in understanding how this mechanism of action is coupled to the DNA replication machinery. We use in vitro reconstitutions and biochemical assays with yeast and human CAF-1 complexes and DNA replication factors to study their molecular interplay, as well as the crosstalk between CAF-1 and other histone chaperones that are active during DNA replication.
Dreyer J*, Ricci G*, van den Berg J*, Bhardwaj V, Funk J, Armstrong C, van Batenburg V, Sine C, VanInsberghe MA, Tjeerdsma RB, Marsman R, Mandemaker IK, di Sanzo S, Costantini J, Manzo SG, Biran A, Burny C, van Vugt MATM, Völker-Albert M, Groth A, Spencer SL, van Oudenaarden A, Mattiroli F
Download|2024
Clement Rouillon*, Bruna V. Eckhardt*, Leonie Kollenstart*, Fabian Gruss, Alexander E.E. Verkennis, Inge Rondeel, Peter H.L. Krijger, Giulia Ricci, Alva Biran, Theo van Laar, Charlotte M. Delvaux de Fenffe, Georgiana Luppens, Pascal Albanese, Koichi Sato, Richard A. Scheltema, Wouter de Laat, Puck Knipscheer, Nynke H. Dekker, Anja Groth and Francesca Mattiroli
Download|2023
Imke K Mandemaker*, Evelyn Fessler, David Corujo, Christiane Kotthoff, Andreas Wegerer, Clément Rouillon, Marcus Buschbeck, Lucas T Jae, Francesca Mattiroli*, Andreas G Ladurner*
Mattiroli F*, Bhattacharyya S*, Dyer PN, White AE, Sandman K, Burkhart BW, Byrne KR, Lee T, Ahn NG, Santangelo TJ, Reeve JN, Luger K
Download|2017
Mattiroli F*, Gu Y*, Yadav T, Balsbaugh JL, Harry MR, Findlay ES, Liu Y, Radebaugh CA, Stargell LA, Ahn NG, Whitehouse I, Luger K
Mattiroli F*, Uckelmann M*, Sahtoe DD, van Dijk WJ, Sixma TK
Download|2014
Francesca Mattiroli is a group leader at the Hubrecht Institute since January 2018. Her group investigates chromatin dynamics during DNA replication and repair. The Mattiroli group uses biochemical reconstitutions, structural approaches and cell biology to elucidate the biophysical and structural properties of chromatin and its key regulatory factors, such as histone chaperones. Chromatin organisation controls cell fate and survival, and it is often deregulated in diseases such as cancer. By determining the molecular basis for chromatin control of cell identity, we contribute to the development of potential new strategies for cancer treatments.
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Mattiroli group
01/04/2025
Utrecht Science Park
We are always interested in recruiting enthusiastic, motivated people that are keen on working in a highly ambitious, multidisciplinary team. We are interested in applicants from a variety of backgrounds, including biophysics, cell biology, biochemistry, genomics and structural biology. We have several projects available involving chromatin dynamics and its interplay with DNA replication and repair.
If you are interested in learning more about the available position(s) in the lab, please send an email to Francesca Mattiroli, including a CV (with grades), a coverletter and names and contact information of 3 references.
We have several exciting projects involving a variety of topics and techniques available for Master students. Please email Francesca Mattiroli if you are interested in an internship/rotation in the lab. We welcome students from both life sciences and exact sciences.
