Congratulations Dr. Michael Hendzel! Canada Research Chair in Genome Cell Biology and Dynamics
2 June 2022
Government of Canada names Dr. Michael Hendzel among its most recent cycle of Canada Research Chairs.
Michael Hendzel
Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Oncology, Division of Experimental Oncology
Dr. Hendzel's research aims to understand what properties the packaging of DNA imparts to the genome of cells. Two meters of DNA are packaged into each cell nucleus, with diameters of only a few micrometres, while maintaining the ability to read, write, and repair it. Dr. Hendzel's recent work has found that the genome forms a gel, similar to Jell-O. This gel is decorated with binding sites that attract proteins that have a particular property–they can cause the water in the cell to separate, similar to oil separating from water. This could create a microenvironment that prevents the inappropriate expression of genes. This is important because some genes, such as endogenous retrovirus sequences which mutate our genome, must be shut down. Additionally, this gel state provides the DNA with an additional unexpected function–it can be used as structural support. This may be important in tissues that undergo significant strain, such as the contracting cells of a beating heart.
Our understanding of the genome is dominated by results from experiments done outside of cells. Dr. Hendzel's research focuses on the emergent properties that arise in the concentrated and complex environment of the cell. A gel state to chromatin and the creation of local microenvironments are examples of such properties. These introduce new and potentially transformational ways of thinking about these reactions, their mechanisms, and their control.