EMBO Member

Julia P. Cooper

NIH, Bethesda | United States

EMBO 2009

Telomeres, centromeres and genome integrity

We study the spectrum and mechanisms of telomere function. Recent highlights include the discovery of a mode by which telomerase-negative cells can use 'generic' heterochromatin to protect ends. We have also expanded the telomeric repertoire, finding that telomeres control meiotic spindle formation and centromere assembly; these principles apply to proliferating cells as well, as centromeres control the decision to mount mitotic spindle assembly.

Keywords: Telomeres / Centromeres / DNA damage response / fission yeast / meiosis / chromatin & nuclear organization

Subject area(s): Cell Cycle | Chromatin & Transcription | Genome Stability & Dynamics