Mapping long-range G-G base pairing interaction within the human genome

DNA looping and condensation is a key feature in cell differentiation and epigenetic plasticity. Our group has recently discovered that the human protein CSB can bind with high affinity and selectivity DNA intermolecular structures that are base on non-canonical G-G base-pairing known as G-quadruplexes. In this project, we set to leverage this knowledge to establish tools and methodology to map the occurrence of these structures within the whole human genome. These maps will help unravel the role of intermolecular G-quadruplex in epigenetic plasticity, which is an hallmark of cancer. We anticipate that the findings generated during this project could help validating G-quadruplex structures as a viable therapeutical target.