Seminar “Selected topics of DNA biophysics”
Date
Monday, 27 June 2016
Time
12:00 am
Place
University of Barcelona
Faculty of Physics Building
Room 3.20, 3rd floor
Speaker
Dr Maxim Frank-Kamenetskii, Boston University (USA)
Abstract
Various topics of DNA biophysics will be overviewed in the historical retrospective. Soon after discovery of the DNA double helix, a new area of DNA melting was originated. Over the years, the studies of DNA melting have become one of the main directions of DNA biophysics, which are currently further extended with the help of DNA single-molecule techniques.
One of important themes has also been the sequence-specific targeting the duplex DNA. Such targeting may be performed using various cellular proteins, such as the CRISPR-cas technology of genome editing. It can be also achieved using artificial tolls, like PNA. Single-molecule and other data indicate that the DNA double helix presents almost an ideal case of the worm-like polymer chain.
However, fluctuational defects may occur under strong bending. The issue of the nature of these defects and their role is a subject of current heated debates. A consistent view on the situation will be presented.
