Abstract: Sexual reproduction in eukaryotes relies on meiosis, a specialized form of cell division that enables genetic diversity via recombination and segregation of alleles. The basic program is conserved from yeasts to mammals. A central question is how each chromosome identifies its homolog among numerous potential partners. The overarching goal of our research is to understand how the nuclear organization and motion of chromosomes contributes to the correct pairing, synapsis, and recombination of homologs during meiosis I prophase – and how infidelity in these processes leads to chromosomal abnormalities that underlie infertility, birth defects, or pregnancy loss in humans. We use budding yeast and zebrafish as models to understand how these interrelated processes have evolved.

Host: Cassie Zuckerman