In the nucleus of animal cells, DNA is densely packed into a highly dynamic structure called the chromosome. The basic structural component of chromosomes is chromatin. Chromatin organizes DNA into tight bundles and thus achieving high density storage of genetic information. Even though the biochemistry of DNA transcription is becoming clear, the mechanics of chromatin and its influence on DNA transcription is largely unexplored. For instance, how does the transcription protein physically access the relevant regions of the DNA? Can we explain the elastic behavior of chromatin from fundamental considerations? The investigators use a multi-scale computational modeling approach to explore the mechanics of chromatin fiber. They specifically address the following questions: 1) Given the topological constraints, what are the static (equilibrium) structure of chromatin and its elastic properties? 2) What is the dynamics of chromatin formation? How is remodeling of chromatin accomplished in vivo? 3) How is chromatin remodeling responsible for modifying the mechanics of transcription, and what are the roles of gene regulatory proteins and DNA topoisomerases in initiating and modulating transcription? The answers to the questions have fundamental importance in our understanding of how genetic information is organized and transmitted in cells.
