Every human cell contains about two meters of DNA, packed into a nucleus only a few micrometres wide. This genome must be organized in a way that allows genetic information to be efficiently read, copied, repaired, and reliably passed on when cells divide. Our lab aims to uncover the physical and molecular principles that make this possible.
We study how chromosomes change shape across the cell cycle, how DNA breaks find the right template for repair, and how RNA moves through a nucleus densely filled with chromatin. To do this, we combine quantitative imaging, sequencing-based genomics, and biochemical reconstitution, and we often develop new tools when existing methods are not sufficient. With these approaches, we aim to uncover the fundamental physical and molecular principles that govern genome structure and function. Learn more about our research.
Our lab thrives on providing the space for young researchers to develop their vision and progress towards independence. We welcome people who love developing new tools and people who love using them to uncover biological mechanisms. Many of our best projects do both. Learn more about our lab.
Bell, C., Chen, L., Maristany, MJ (...) Rosen, MK., Gerlich, DW. (2025). An electrostatic repulsion model of centromere organisation. bioRxiv.
Teloni, F., Takacs, Z., Mitter, M (...) Mylarshchikov, D., Gerlich, DW. (2025). Cohesin guides homology search during DNA repair using loops and sister chromatid linkages. Science. 390(6777):eadw0566
Schneider, MWG., Gibson, BA., Otsuka, S (...) Rosen, MK., Gerlich, DW. (2022). A mitotic chromatin phase transition prevents perforation by microtubules. Nature.
Mitter, M., Gasser, C., Takacs, Z (...) Micura, R., Gerlich, DW. (2020). Conformation of sister chromatids in the replicated human genome. Nature. 586(7827):139-144
Cuylen-Haering, S., Petrovic, M., Hernandez-Armendariz, A (...) Holt, LJ., Gerlich, DW. (2020). Chromosome clustering by Ki-67 excludes cytoplasm during nuclear assembly. Nature. 587(7833):285-290
