Linking cytoplasmic and nuclear dynamics in muscle development

The nuclear membrane not only serves as a vital compartmentalizer within the cell, segregating the nucleus from the cytoplasm, but it has also historically compartmentalized the fields of genetics and cell biology into distinct areas of study. This division reflects a gap in our understanding of how the dynamics of the cytoplasm influence those within the nucleus and vice versa. Despite this, unraveling the intricate interactions between the cytoplasm and nucleus is crucial for a holistic understanding of cellular function. Recognizing the bidirectional influence between these two cellular compartments could unlock new insights into cellular mechanisms and disease processes, highlighting the importance of integrating genetics and cell biology to fully comprehend the complexities of life at the cellular level. One of the enduring challenges has been the ability to correlate cell behavior with gene expression at a high spatiotemporal resolution. Addressing this challenge, our laboratory is pioneering the integration of advanced microscopy techniques with cutting-edge spatial genomic methods. This innovative approach allows us to superimpose detailed cell behavior on top of specific patterns of gene expression, creating a comprehensive map of cellular activity. A drastic event which occurs during muscle development is when nuclei are squeezed to the periphery by sarcomeres (Roman et al. Nature Cell Biology). We still do not know why nuclei are positioned at the periphery of muscle cells and the goal of this project is to establish if nuclear squeezing alters chromatin architecture and gene expression. This project promises to answer a long-lasting question in the muscle field which could help preserve mobility in muscle diseases and aging.