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Dynamics Of Nucleosome Assembly Characterized By Atomic Force Microscopy, Tommy Stormberg
Dynamics Of Nucleosome Assembly Characterized By Atomic Force Microscopy, Tommy Stormberg
Theses & Dissertations
Nucleosomes are the basic repeating unit defining the assembly and function of chromatin. Understanding the fundamental mechanisms of nucleosome structure and dynamics is critical to elucidating the chromatin assembly process. This dissertation describes my work in elucidating the role of different factors that drive the nucleosome dynamics.
In my first study, we characterized, for the first time, the effect of sequence on nucleosome assembly. We then characterized the role of internucleosomal interactions, discovering a critical role internucleosomal interactions in the assembly of higher order structures.
Based on the previous study and literature regarding histone tails, we hypothesized the histone H4 …
Extracellular Mechanotransduction In Marfan Syndrome: An Equivalence Principle, Stephen Haller
Extracellular Mechanotransduction In Marfan Syndrome: An Equivalence Principle, Stephen Haller
Theses & Dissertations
Biological tissues continuously experience mechanical stress and have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to sense mechanical stimuli. While traditional viewpoints regard cells as the ultimate sensors and processors of mechanical information, compounding evidence demonstrates that extracellular matrix, the structural component of tissues, also exhibits evolved molecular responses to force. This led us to propose a new paradigm termed extracellular mechanotransduction, in which matrix orchestrates a complementary form of force integration distinct from traditional cellular and extracellular viewpoints. We thus propose that force-sensitive signaling mechanisms evolved within the extracellular space to help cells maintain mechanical homeostasis in tissues. In this dissertation, we apply …