Invited by the Wassmann Lab, Joao Matos (Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna) will present an IJM seminar on the theme:
Building, maintaining and discarding large macromolecular assemblies during gametogenesis
The life cycle of sexually reproducing eukaryotes depends on two specialized chromosome segregation programs: mitosis and meiosis. Whereas mitosis drives cellular proliferation and the stable propagation of the genome, meiosis promotes genetic diversity and the formation of rejuvenated gametes, which combine at fertilization to restore the diploid state. I will discuss how meiotic cells build, maintain and disassemble/segregate/discard macromolecular assemblies during meiosis: i) the synaptonemal complex; ii) novel filamentous structures that are important for cell viability after gametogenesis and for gamete rejuvenation.