Our universe functions in 3 dimensions. Every physical entity can be assigned to 3 coordinates. This concept also includes the genome in our cells. Up until the 20th century, due to a lack of technology, biologists could only postulate what a 3D genome might look like. Now, we have the tools to study the spatial organization of the genome. Indeed, through methods like Hi-C and advances in in-situ hybridization, we are rapidly moving to discern the dynamics of genome organization. The phenomenon of phase separation, well-characterized by polymer physicists and chemists, recently introduced to cell biology has the potential to revolutionize how we look at genome organization and other subcellular assemblies. The concept can explain compartmentalized systems without the need for a membrane, such as in heterochromatin-euchromatin segregation. These advances in technologies and theories have brought about a paradigm shift in the way we study and look at genome organization. Combining chromatin biochemistry with a versatile model system, the nematode C. elegans, I want to tackle the question of whether and how genomes are compartmentalized via phase separation. In particular, I am focusing on two chromatin factors of the HP1 and MBT protein families that appear to be essential in this process.

Although I joined the KAUST Ph.D. program in Fall 2020, my arrival to the laboratory has been delayed until recently due to the ongoing pandemic. Being an opportunist, I decided to take advantage of the delay and got married to my longtime girlfriend in September 2020. Now that we have both safely arrived at KAUST, I am very excited to finally start my experimental work in the lab and add my contribution to the field”.
Karthik has a bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from NITW, India, and a master’s degree in Molecular Biology from IRCM, Canada.