Cover image

Dynamic protein binding to DNA is key for proper genome function and determining cell fate. The mapping of these protein–DNA interactions is essential for obtaining a detailed mechanistic understanding of gene regulation and chromatin organization. One approach to measuring the in vivo binding of proteins to specific genomic regions is chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). This technique, first described in the 1980s, involves sample cross-linking to stabilize protein–DNA interactions, followed by immunoprecipitation of the protein of interest and subsequent detection of the bound DNA by methods such as quantitative PCR (qPCR) or high-throughput sequencing. In this issue, Du and Volkan describe a workflow for performing ChIP from Drosophila antennae and brain samples. The authors outline the steps for sample preparation, immunoprecipitation, and detection of the bound DNA via qPCR (doi:10.1101/pdb.top108139). The cover image shows a frontal view of a Drosophila central brain (supra- and suboesophageal ganglia), expressing a membrane-targeted fluorescent protein (mCD8::GFP) under the control of 0104-Gal4. Image provided by Vincent Croset.