Mattiroli: Chromatin structure and dynamics

Back to research groups

The Mattiroli group studies chromatin dynamics during DNA replication to understand how chromatin organization is propagated through cell division.

Chromatin organisation determines cell identity. Chromatin encodes the genetic and epigenetic information of the cell. Genetic and epigenetic information need to be accurately propagated through cell division, to prevent transformations that lead to diseases such as cancer.
At every cell cycle, DNA and chromatin organization are replicated. The mechanisms that control the replication of chromatin structures are largely unknown.

We use biochemical, structural and cell biology approaches to study chromatin dynamics during DNA replication at the molecular level. Moreover, we aim to understand how chromatin replication affects cellular life and disease development.

Key publicationsView all publications

CAF-1 deposits newly synthesized histones during DNA replication using distinct mechanisms on the leading and lagging strands

Clement Rouillon*, Bruna V. Eckhardt*, Leonie Kollenstart*, Fabian Gruss, Alexander E.E. Verkennis, Inge Rondeel, Peter H.L. Krijger, Giulia Ricci, Alva Biran, Theo van Laar, Charlotte M. Delvaux de Fenffe, Georgiana Luppens, Pascal Albanese, Koichi Sato, Richard A. Scheltema, Wouter de Laat, Puck Knipscheer, Nynke H. Dekker, Anja Groth and Francesca Mattiroli

NAR 51(8):3770-3792

Download|2023

The histone chaperone ANP32B regulates chromatin incorporation of the atypical human histone variant macroH2A

Imke K Mandemaker*, Evelyn Fessler, David Corujo, Christiane Kotthoff, Andreas Wegerer, Clément Rouillon, Marcus Buschbeck, Lucas T Jae, Francesca Mattiroli*, Andreas G Ladurner*

Cell Rep. 2023 Oct 31;42(10):113300.

Download|2023

Structure of histone-based chromatin in archaea

Mattiroli F*, Bhattacharyya S*, Dyer PN, White AE, Sandman K, Burkhart BW, Byrne KR, Lee T, Ahn NG, Santangelo TJ, Reeve JN, Luger K

Science 357(6351):609-612

Download|2017

DNA-mediated association of two histone-bound complexes of yeast Chromatin Assembly Factor-1 (CAF-1) drives tetrasome assembly in the wake of DNA replication

Mattiroli F*, Gu Y*, Yadav T, Balsbaugh JL, Harry MR, Findlay ES, Liu Y, Radebaugh CA, Stargell LA, Ahn NG, Whitehouse I, Luger K

Elife 6:e22799

Download|2017

Nat Commun. 5:3291

Download|2014

RNF168 ubiquitinates K13-15 on H2A/H2AX to drive DNA damage signaling

Mattiroli F, Vissers JHA, van Dijk WJ, Ikpa P, Citterio E, Vermeulen W, Marteijn JA, Sixma TK

Cell 150(6):1182-95

Download|2012

Group leader

Francesca Mattiroli

Francesca Mattiroli is a group leader at the Hubrecht Institute since January 2018. Her group investigates chromatin dynamics during DNA replication and repair. The Mattiroli group uses biochemical reconstitutions, structural approaches and cell biology to elucidate the biophysical and structural properties of chromatin and its key regulatory factors, such as histone chaperones. Chromatin organisation controls cell fate and survival, and it is often deregulated in diseases such as cancer. By determining the molecular basis for chromatin control of cell identity, we contribute to the development of potential new strategies for cancer treatments.

Scientific training and positions

Awards 


Group members

Francesca Mattiroli

Group Leader

Inge Rondeel

Technician

Imke Mandemaker

Postdoc

Bruna Eckhardt

PhD Student

Jan Dreyer

PhD Student

Giulia Ricci

PhD Student

Jolijn Govers

PhD Student

Charlotte Delvaux de Fenffe

PhD Student

Janina Funk

MSc Student

Show all group members

Alumni

Open positions for PhD students and PostDocs

Open positions for Master Students