CaptureHiC

CaptureHiC is a molecular biology technique used to study three-dimensional genome organization. It is a variation of Chromatin Interaction Analysis by Paired-End Tag sequencing (ChIP-seq), a method that identifies DNA-binding protein targets. CaptureHiC specifically enriches for interactions involving regions of interest, such as enhancers or promoters, making it more efficient than traditional Hi-C for focused investigations.

The process begins with formaldehyde crosslinking to capture DNA-DNA interactions in vivo. Chromatin is then digested, and ligation is performed to seal the crosslinked fragments. Following this, biotinylated probes are designed to target specific genomic regions. These probes are then used to capture the DNA fragments that contain the regions of interest and their interacting partners. After capturing these fragments, they are sequenced, and the resulting paired-end reads are mapped to the genome.

By analyzing the mapped reads, researchers can identify which regions of the genome are in close spatial proximity to the targeted regions. This information is crucial for understanding how gene regulation is influenced by the three-dimensional arrangement of the genome. CaptureHiC is particularly useful for studying the regulatory logic of specific genes or gene networks, and for identifying distal regulatory elements that interact with gene promoters. Its targeted nature allows for higher resolution and more cost-effective analysis compared to whole-genome Hi-C when studying specific genomic loci.