Significant advancements have been made in the study of chromatin structure and function over the past fifty years but none as spectacular as those made in the last decade due to the development of novel techniques and the ability to sequence large stretches of DNA. In Chromatin Protocols, Second Edition, expert researchers delineate these cutting-edge techniques via step-by-step laboratory methods and protocols, which encompass a wide array of topics from the isolation of nucleosomes, assembly of nucleosomes and study of the basic chromatin structure to detailed analysis of histone modifications and chromatin function. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series style, chapters include brief introductions to the subjects, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, readily reproducible protocols, and Notes sections which highlight tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and up-to-date, Chromatin Protocols, Second Edition is a valuable tool for scientists studying various aspects of chromatin function and an ideal guide to aid in the development of new techniques as well as new ideas in the field of chromatin biology.

Updated and revised, this thorough volume is organized such that it begins with techniques related to the study of chromatin structure. Protocols for reconstitution of chromatin on solid supports for analysis, preparation of positioned mononucleosomes, techniques to study premature chromatin condensation and the use of comparative genomic hybridization to assess genomic aberration are included as well. Novel techniques for imaging chromatin using atomic force microscopy and the isolation of specific genomic regions using engineered DNA binding molecules generated by CRISPR are then examined. That section is followed by protocols to analyze DNA and histone modifications, while the third section includes methods to study DNA replication and repair, in the context of chromatin. Last but not least, protocols for studying chromatin and its relation with transcriptional regulation are presented in a fourth section. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and up-to-date, Chromatin Protocols, Third Edition aims to help researchers in facilitating in-depth molecular analysis of various aspects of chromatin structure and function.