[Seminar] Crystalline biomacromolecules in vivo: cellulosic thecal plates and liquid crystalline chromosomes by Professor Joseph T.Y. Wong

Abstract:

Dinoflagellates are the major cellulosic eukaryotic phytoplankton group, the major causative agents of red-tides and the main symbiotic algae in corals.

They are famous for their non-nucleosomal DNA packaging in their liquid crystalline chromosomes (LCCs), which encode some of the largest genomes.

Lesser known is their Cellulosic thecal plates (CTPs). which are elaborate cortical cellulosic three-dimensional structures in the amphiesma (internal cell wall) of thecated dinoflagellates.

Understanding how evolution uniquely solve common problems will inspire us to nano-fabricate these widely available biomacromolecules in 3D. In this talk, I shall present recent works on CTP biogenesis, and on condensation in their liquid crystalline chromosomes, as well as how these two seemingly distinct processes may be connected in the cell cycle.