University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Biomechanical regulation of epigenetics and chromatin organization in single living cells

Tajik, Arash

Content Files
TAJIK-DISSERTATION-2015.pdf

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

Description

Title
Biomechanical regulation of epigenetics and chromatin organization in single living cells
Author(s)
Tajik, Arash
Issue Date
2015-04-13
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Wang, Ning
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Wang, Ning
Committee Member(s)
  • Wang, Yingxiao
  • Cheng, Jianjun
  • Nam, SungWoo
  • Ma, Jian
Department of Study
Mechanical Sci & Engineering
Discipline
Mechanical Engineering
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Date of Ingest
2015-07-22T22:45:14Z
Keyword(s)
  • Biomechanics
  • Cell Mechanics
  • Mechanotransduction
  • Epigenetics
  • Chromatin Organization
Abstract
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.
Graduation Semester
2015-5
Type of Resource
text
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/78729
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2015 Arash Tajik

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