Antoine Hocher

Research Area

Our lab studies the evolution of chromosomes across the tree of life. We are particularly interested in DNA as a substrate for information and in its physical organization. We focus on the diversity of chromatin in bacteria. Building on prior work on archaeal chromatin, we recently showed that some bacterial species encode histones—underscoring how diverse bacterial chromatin can be. We suspect many more organisms possess original ways to organize their chromosomes. To explore that question, we try to look for the most informative organisms.

In the lab, we use a mixed approach, combining phylogenomics with biochemistry. Rather than committing to a single model organism, we navigate the tree of life to find species that deviate from the norm and help us understand it. Our aim is to explain variation in chromosomal properties—ploidy, topology, chromatin—and to identify the molecular determinants and evolutionary forces that shape them. Understanding this variation is key to explaining how diverse organisms use their genetic information.

Project Interests

I want to progress the study of chromosomes from non-model species, which is often a real challenge but also the study of chromosomes composition of microbes in their native habitat. Recently I have been particularly interested to develop project aiming at improving the techniques used to characterise the proteins associated to chromosomes. I would be keen to establish techniques to analyse DNA associated proteins in any prokaryotic organisms using proteomics. I would welcome students interested in the biochemical detail of chromatin composition but also students who would be keen to explore chromatin composition in situ, with a more environmental angle.