Making a secure connection before chromosomes separate

How it works

During cell division, thin fibers pull chromosomes apart. The attachment point on a chromosome is called the kinetochore. If the connection is weak or incorrect, the chromosomes may not be shared equally between the two new cells.

The kinetochore contains many proteins assembled into a complex structure. A group called CCAN forms an important inner foundation, connecting the chromosome’s DNA-containing region to the machinery that grips the fibers.

We combine molecular simulations with high-resolution imaging to study how CCAN proteins assemble in three dimensions. Our 2026 preprint proposes a higher-order structure that resembles a shell.

What we want to learn next

We are now testing how this architecture responds to force and how changing specific interactions affects accurate chromosome segregation. The link between the proposed structure and mechanical performance is still being investigated.

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