Mechanical characterization of human centromeres
Tinka Clement, Christian Friberg Nielsen, Zhaowei Liu, Bram Hoogland, Rui Cui, Colleen C. Caldwell, Chase P. Broedersz, Ian David Hickson, Gijs J. L. Wuite
This study uses optical tweezers to measure the mechanical properties of human centromeres, revealing stiffness at low forces and softening under tension, with implications for chromosome segregation.
bioRxiv · Oct 15, 2026 · PreprintBiophysics