Projects

Final projects:

  • Initially my idea was to try and connect two-ends of a chromosome (the telomeres) so that the phenomenon of telomere attrition does not happen during cell-divisions; I felt this was a good way to tackle one of the hallmarks of ageing. However, since humans have linear DNA, the problem of catenane formation is generally not encountered; due to this humans dont have the DNA topoisomerase IV (Topo IV) which helps separate the catenated chromosomes, by breaking DNA strands of one chromosome and allowing the other chromosome to pass through the break. (Thus, the replication of multiple circular DNA will have this issue of one circle passing through the other and if these circular chromosomes are being pulled to different daughter cells, then the Topo IV activity will be a must.)