Professor Dr. Michael Hendzel

Biography

Michael Hendzel is a researcher in the Department of Cell Biology at the University of Alberta. He explores the structure and function of the cell nucleus, focusing on chromatin and non-chromatin structures. His laboratory employs a variety of techniques including microscopy, biochemistry, and molecular biology to study the dynamics and functions within the nucleus. Hendzel's research involves investigating nuclear compartments and their role in critical processes like transcription, mRNA processing, DNA replication, and DNA repair. He is particularly interested in how chromatin remodeling proteins interact at DNA double-strand breaks, which is crucial for understanding stem cell biology and cancer therapy resistance. Hendzel has made significant contributions to the field through numerous publications, including studies on the dynamics of nuclear actin and the impact of specific E3 ligases on DNA repair pathways. Ongoing collaborative efforts aim to enhance imaging techniques for direct visualization of transcription within the cell nucleus, providing insights on the structure-function relationships in mammalian cells.

Research Interests