Beyond RNA regulation, neoblasts are defined by their unique chromatin landscape. While stem cell chromatin is generally characterized by high accessibility and minimal compaction, only a small fraction of the DNA encodes the genes essential for cellular function. In vertebrate embryonic stem cells, their transcription is governed by a core set of factors including OCT4 and SOX2. The adult pluripotent cells of planarians however face a greater challenge: they must maintain controlled gene expression over years, or even centuries. We analyze neoblast chromatin features alongside gene expression patterns to reveal the strategies these cells use to preserve their identity and function over time.

The ability of neoblast descendants to become any cell type in the planarian body involves a profound epigenetic transformation. This transition from pluripotency to a committed state is driven by coordinated changes in chromatin modifications and shifts in global nuclear architecture. By mapping the changes in chromatin marks alongside 3D spatial organization, we investigate the structural principles that govern cellular identity and lineage commitment.