Chromatin 3d modelling from sparse 3c-based datasets

Abstract

Genome spatial organisation and transcriptional activity are tightly coordinated to ensure the correct function of the cell. Thus, proper understanding of the chromatin organisation is needed to deepen into the processes regulating the activity of specific loci of interest. In this matter, Chromatin Conformation Capture (3C)-based technologies have helped to increase the understanding of the genomic interaction landscape. Particularly, sparse 3C technologies, like promoter capture Hi-C (pcHi-C), have focused on specific interactions of interest to unveil the interaction landscape associated with functional elements, like promoters. However, to properly characterize the sparse interaction profiles of pcHi-C, it is important to contextualize these interactions in a 3D perspective. Hence, in this thesis, we have developed a tool for the 3D modelling and analysis of sparse 3C-based datasets like pcHi-C, and we have probed its utility to help interpreting the regulatory architecture surrounding genes associated with cell-type or tissue-specific activity.