Abstract: A method for detecting interactions between elements within one or more DNA molecules within a cell, wherein the elements are not adjacent in the primary DNA sequence, the method comprising: a) providing a cell in which elements within one or more DNA molecules that are in close proximity are cross-linked; b) simultaneously lysing the cell and mechanically fragmenting the DNA molecules within the cell; c) proximity ligating the one or more fragmented DNA molecules; d) reversing the crosslinks in the ligated DNA molecules; e) sequencing the ligated DNA molecules; and f) analysing the sequencing data to detect interactions between elements within the one or more DNA molecules within the cell.