From Genome to Life:

MARILLEY Monique

RGFCP UPRES EA 3290, 27, bd J. Moulin, 13385 MARSEILLE cedex 5, France

title:Contributions of molecular modelling and atomic force microscopy to genome study

Base sequence not only carries the genetic code but it also determines the 3-dimensional conformation of the DNA, such nucleotide organization and physical properties vary all along the double helix with a specific 3D pattern. These characteristics may be essential for a variety of genome functions such as DNA packing, transcription or replication...In this context many approaches have been developed to characterize structural and physical variation that exists within genomes. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) allows analysis of regulatory regions of the DNA under nearly physiological conditions. Particular attention will be given to the application of AFM for the mapping of curvature and flexibility as well as to the information they may bring for understanding genome function.