Structural Studies on Chromosome Segregation

Chromosome segregation is a fundamental requirement for propagation of the genome and the cellular life-cycle. In eukaryotes, condensed sister chromatids are recognised and separated by the mitotic spindle. This requires large, specialised chromatin and protein structures which undergo spatially and temporally regulated interactions and involves a sophisticated error correction mechanism. I will describe our recent structural studies on some of the proteins and multi-protein complexes that participate in this process, and how they may function in the cell.