The significance of chromosome conformation capture in 3D genome architecture comprehension

Chromosomes are intricate macromolecules composed of chromatin that create three-dimensional structures within cells. The arrangement and interactions of chromosomes play a crucial role in shaping the genome's structure, function, and gene expression regulation. To fully grasp the architecture and adaptability of the genome, it is essential to understand the complex relationship between chromosomal structure and nucleotide sequences. Advances in our understanding of genome topology have been significantly driven by next-generation sequencing technologies designed for capturing chromatin conformation. The exploration of 3D genome organization has led to the development of high-throughput chromatin conformation capture (Hi-C) techniques. Hi-C is essential for revealing new aspects of genome architecture and for mapping genome-wide chromosomal interactions, both within individual chromosomes and between them. These interactions include chromosomal territories, topologically associating domains (TADs), and chromatin or gene loops. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the historical development and current state of 'C' technologies, in-depth insights into various Hi-C techniques, and the analysis of 3D genome structures. It concludes with a discussion on computational tools for analyzing high-resolution Hi-C data, the challenges in modeling 3D genome structures, and potential future advancements in the field.