GENE310 – A+ Genome Topology
and Epigenetics
Chromatin Organization, Gene
Regulation & Epigenetic
Mechanisms
Latest Updated 2025–2026
genomes are spatially arranged in 3D, forming dynamic architectures that organize gene activity and
genome stability
genome topology
each chromosome occupies a _____ within the nucleus rather than being randomly mixed
distinct 3D space
gene-rich chromosomes lie toward the nuclear interior, gene-poor or heterochromatic chromosomes
lie near the peripehry
organization logic
where do gene-rich chromosomes lie in the nucleas
toward the interior
where do gene-poor chromosomes lie in the nucleus
near the periphery
spatial segregation minimizes unwanted DNA interactions, territories enable coordinated regulation
of related genes
, function of chromosome territories
what is chromatin domain folding determined by?
transcriptional activity of genome regions
boundaries form at the ____ of active and inactive parts
interface
active regions of different chromosomes are ____ to one another
close
higher-order domains of similar activity status
chromatin domains
multiple, functionally similar genome domains
superdomains
active and silent regions are organized around ____
nuclear structures
close to nuclear lamina
silenced gene territories
interior of nucleas
active gene territories
rRNA genes
nucleolus (nu)
splicing
nuclear speckles
the activity of genes early during ___ drives nuclear structure
development
the topology of the genome plays a _____ role into maintaining patterns of activity
reinforcing
the study of heritable changes in gene function that do not alter the DNA sequence
epigenetics
epigenetics explains how ______ can give rise to different cells, functions, and even behaviors
the same genome
the DNA code is static, but its ______ is dynamic
interpretation
what does epigenetic mechanisms decide?
which genes are read, when, and how much
chemical tags (like m5c) that silence genes or stabilize chromatin
DNA methylation
acetylation, methylation, and others that loosen or tighten chromatin
histone modifications
shifting or replacing nucleosomes to make DNA accessible or repressed
chromatin remodeling
small and long RNAs that recruit, guide, or block chromatin modifiers
noncoding RNAs
defines cell identity, this is how the same genome results in different expression programs
epigenetics for development
misregulated epigenetic states underlie cancer, aging, and metabolic and neurological diseases
epigenetics for health
some epigenetic marks can be transmitted across generations
epigenetics for interitance
CRISPR-based epigenetic editors and methylation sequencing are transformign diagnostics and
therapy
epigenetics for biotechnology
was one of the first experimental demonstrations that genes can be silences without changing DNA
sequence
position effect variegation (PEV)
what did PEV reveal?
gene activity depends on chromatin context, not just coding sequence
PEV shows how ________ and how boundaries prevent it
heterochromatin spreads
and Epigenetics
Chromatin Organization, Gene
Regulation & Epigenetic
Mechanisms
Latest Updated 2025–2026
genomes are spatially arranged in 3D, forming dynamic architectures that organize gene activity and
genome stability
genome topology
each chromosome occupies a _____ within the nucleus rather than being randomly mixed
distinct 3D space
gene-rich chromosomes lie toward the nuclear interior, gene-poor or heterochromatic chromosomes
lie near the peripehry
organization logic
where do gene-rich chromosomes lie in the nucleas
toward the interior
where do gene-poor chromosomes lie in the nucleus
near the periphery
spatial segregation minimizes unwanted DNA interactions, territories enable coordinated regulation
of related genes
, function of chromosome territories
what is chromatin domain folding determined by?
transcriptional activity of genome regions
boundaries form at the ____ of active and inactive parts
interface
active regions of different chromosomes are ____ to one another
close
higher-order domains of similar activity status
chromatin domains
multiple, functionally similar genome domains
superdomains
active and silent regions are organized around ____
nuclear structures
close to nuclear lamina
silenced gene territories
interior of nucleas
active gene territories
rRNA genes
nucleolus (nu)
splicing
nuclear speckles
the activity of genes early during ___ drives nuclear structure
development
the topology of the genome plays a _____ role into maintaining patterns of activity
reinforcing
the study of heritable changes in gene function that do not alter the DNA sequence
epigenetics
epigenetics explains how ______ can give rise to different cells, functions, and even behaviors
the same genome
the DNA code is static, but its ______ is dynamic
interpretation
what does epigenetic mechanisms decide?
which genes are read, when, and how much
chemical tags (like m5c) that silence genes or stabilize chromatin
DNA methylation
acetylation, methylation, and others that loosen or tighten chromatin
histone modifications
shifting or replacing nucleosomes to make DNA accessible or repressed
chromatin remodeling
small and long RNAs that recruit, guide, or block chromatin modifiers
noncoding RNAs
defines cell identity, this is how the same genome results in different expression programs
epigenetics for development
misregulated epigenetic states underlie cancer, aging, and metabolic and neurological diseases
epigenetics for health
some epigenetic marks can be transmitted across generations
epigenetics for interitance
CRISPR-based epigenetic editors and methylation sequencing are transformign diagnostics and
therapy
epigenetics for biotechnology
was one of the first experimental demonstrations that genes can be silences without changing DNA
sequence
position effect variegation (PEV)
what did PEV reveal?
gene activity depends on chromatin context, not just coding sequence
PEV shows how ________ and how boundaries prevent it
heterochromatin spreads
