Chromosome research breakthrough at Warwick

A Warwick University research team have discovered information about how chromsomes meet which could lead to massive developments within medical science.

The discovery of the trigger which pulls together X chromosomes in female cells at a crucial stage of embryo development is believed to provide an insight into how other similar chromosomes spontaneously recognize each other, and are bound together at key parts of analogous cell processes.

The binding together of too many or too few of a particular chromosome can cause a number of medical conditions, so it is hoped this research will one day lead to a cure for those affected. Down’s Syndrome, which results in learning difficulties amongst other effects, and Turner’s Syndrome, which leads to short stature and non-functioning ovaries are a few of the conditions expected to benefit.

Dr Mario Nicodemi, from the

Department of Physics at the University of Warwick has collaborated with Dr Antonio Scialdone from the University of Naples, and has uncovered exactly how the process of chromosome self-recognition is switched on.

Their conclusions have been published in PLOS, in a paper entitled Mechanics and Dynamics of X-Chromosome Pairing at X Inactivation.

The impact these findings may have could be colossal, as previously the mechanics of exactly how this occurred was shrouded in mystery.