Resolving chromatin landscapes around nuclear condensates*

Many biomolecular condensates associate with specific chromatin loci in the cell nucleus. Transcription condensates are linked to super-enhancer chromatin domains that are characterized by extended accumulations of transcription factor and coactivator binding sites as well as stereotypic epigenetic marks. Biochemical data and population assays suggest that these chromatin marks are required to maintain transcription condensates in specific locations in the nucleus. Conversely, nuclear condensates have been shown to displace chromatin as they grow. We investigate how functional chromatin elements co-organize spatially with respect to transcription condensates using super-resolution microscopy. Our single cell assays reveal cell-to-cell variability obscured by ensemble data. Our work provides new insights into the complex interplay between biomolecular condensates and chromatin topologies.