Chromatin

Chromatin is a complex of DNA and proteins found within our cells which forms the material of chromosomes. It plays a central role in transcription, the process by which genetic information stored in DNA is used to make proteins. Chromatin affects which genes are expressed and when, allowing for a tightly regulated control of gene expression. In turn, this allows for cell differentiation, a crucial part of the development of organisms. Chromatin is also used in epigenetics, the study of heritable changes in gene expression which occur without involving changes in the DNA sequence. These changes, brought about by chromatin, are significant in health and diseases such as cancer.