# Nancy Kleckner, Ph.D. Herchel Smith Professor of Molecular Biology Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University ![NancyKleckner](/sites/g/files/omnuum9451/files/styles/hwp_4_5__480x600/public/biophysics/files/nancykleckner.jpg?itok=0mBPUOl9) location\_on Northwest Laboratories Building, Room 140 52 Oxford Street Cambridge, MA 02138 smartphone [617 495-4278; fax: 617 495-8308]() laptop\_windows [Kleckner Laboratory Home Page](http://projects.iq.harvard.edu/kleckner_lab) laptop\_windows [Kleckner Faculty Profile Page](https://www.mcb.harvard.edu/mcb/faculty/profile/nancy-kleckner/) laptop\_windows [Kleckner Lab Publications](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=kleckner+n) Chromosome Mechanics and Dynamics We are interested in complex chromosomal behaviors that lack satisfactory explanations. We emphasize new approaches, quantitative analysis and hypotheses that are orthogonal to general dogma. Current work combines 4D (3D-plus-time) imaging of single cells at high spatio-temporal resolution with genetic, molecular and *in vitro* approaches. Undergraduates, graduate rotation students and post-doctoral fellows are welcome, particularly those who wish to study chromosome dynamics using analytical methods from physics and engineering (in combination with genetics). **Subjects of interest include:** •3D super-resolution time-lapse microscopy - a new imaging approach for point source and whole object imaging in low signal-to-noise regimes. •Global chromosome expansion/compaction stress cycles - a new universal principle from bacteria to mammalian cells. •Mammalian chromosome morphogenesis, replication and 4D dynamics. •Lessons from bacteria for higher organisms: how does *E.coli* segregate its sisters without a spindle and coordinate its chromosomal and cell division cycles without a cell cycle engine? •Homologous chromosome pairing of whole chromosomes in yeast and mammalian cells and pairing for silencing of repeats in Neurospora. •Spatial patterning of meiotic crossovers (crossover interference): in real time and space in *C.elegans* and roles for female aneuploidy in human meiosis. Selected Publications: Kleckner, N., Zickler, D., Jones, G.H., Henle, J., Dekker, J. and Hutchinson, J. 2004. A mechanical basis for chromosome function. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 101, 12592-12597. Fisher, J.K., Bourniquel, A., Witz, G., Weiner, B., Prentiss, M. and Kleckner, N. 2013. Four-dimensional imaging of E. coli organization and dynamics in living cells. *Cell* 153, 882-895. PMCID: PMC3670778 Liang, Z., Zickler, D., Prentiss, M., Chang, F.S., Witz, G., Maeshima, K. and Kleckner, N. 2015. Chromosomes progress to metaphase in multiple discrete steps via global compaction/expansion cycles. *Cell* 161: 1124-1137. doi10.1016/j.cell.2015.04.030. PMCID: PMC4353236 Grinthal, A., Adamovic, I., Weiner, B., Karplus, M. and Kleckner, N. 2010. PR65, the HEAT-repeat scaffold of phosphatase PP2A, is an elastic connector that links force and catalysis. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 107, 2467-2472. PMCID: PMC2823866 Fisher, J.K. and Kleckner, N. 2014. Magnetic Force Micropiston: an integrated force microfluidic device for the application of compressive forces in a confined environment. *Rev. Sci. Instrum.* 85 023704 (2014); , (issue date Feb. 14, 2014). PMCID: PMC3970836. Burgess, S.M., Kleckner, N. and Weiner, B.M. 1999. Somatic pairing of homologs in budding yeast: existence and modulation. Genes Dev. 13, 1627-1641. Zhang, L., Wang, S., Yin, S., Hong, S. Kim, K.P. and Kleckner, N. 2014. Topoisomerase II mediates meiotic crossover interference. *Nature* 511: 551-556. PMCID: PMC4128387. Gladyshev E. and Kleckner, N. 2014. Direct recognition of homology between double helices of DNA in Neurospora crassa. *Nat. Commun*. 5: 3509 doi: 10.1038/ncomms4509. PMCID: PMC4000310 - ## Faculty Alphabetical [Faculty K-O](/people-alphabetical/k-o) - ## People Terms [Faculty](/people-terms/faculty) [Affiliate Faculty](/people-terms/affiliate-faculty) [Accepting Rotation Students](/people-terms/accepting-rotation-students) [Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology/ Microbiology](/people-terms/biochemistry-molecular-biology) [Cellular Biophysics](/people-terms/cellular-imaging) [Imaging](/people-terms/medical-imaging) [Methods Development](/people-terms/tech-development) [Theoretical & Computational Biology](/people-terms/computational-biology-bioinformatics)