Development of chromosome geometrical model based on Hi-C maps

• Grant number: 21/04275-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2021
• End date: June 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics
• Principal Investigator: Mario Antonio Bernal Rodriguez
• Grantee: Carolina Arnosti
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin (IFGW). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/15316-7 - Study of the interaction of heavy charged particles with DNA using computational methods, AP.JP2

Abstract

The interaction of ionizing particles with DNA can produce biological damage, including cancer. These processes can be studied with models based on Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. For this, we need geometric models of human genetic material, taking into account from the pairs of nucleotides to the chromosomes. HiC maps allow to experimentally determine the contact points of the chromatin fiber with itself within each chromosome and inter-chromosome. Our group is working on converting these maps into three-dimensional structures of chromosomes. These structures need to be completed with our 30 nm chromatin atomic model.