Wolfgang Zachariae

Research Group Chromosome Biology

Cell division, Meiosis

Chromosomes are initially linked in pairs, for which a molecular adhesive, cohesin, is required. In the course of meiosis, this adhesive is destroyed again in a precisely coordinated process to ensure the correct separation of the chromosomes during the two meiotic divisions. Wolfgang Zachariae's research group "Chromosome biology" uses unicellular baker's yeast for its investigations. In this simple organism, meiosis occurs in a similar way as in humans and can be investigated using a variety of methods. These include genetics, biochemistry, video microscopy and even computer simulations of biochemical reactions.

Research Overview

Meiosis is the basis for practically all of eukaryotic genetics on this planet but our molecular understanding of this form of cell division is poor in comparison to our knowledge about the mitotic cell cycle. A detailed molecular understanding of meiosis is of obvious medical and social relevance. more