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SUMMARY:Localised buckling\, writhing and cutting of the DNA molecule - Pr
 of. Michael Thompson (University of Cambridge\, University College London)
DTSTART:20080523T140000Z
DTEND:20080523T150000Z
UID:TALK12178@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Nami Norman
DESCRIPTION:Single–molecule tests on DNA in a magnetic tweezer experimen
 t allow the molecule to be stretched and twisted. Under increasing twist t
 he DNA buckles locally and forms a ply (plectoneme) which grows at right
 –angles to the loading axis. Interpreting this in terms of elastic–rod
  theory allows the estimation of important parameters of the molecule.\nCe
 rtain enzymes\, the topoisomerases\, play an important role in the human c
 ell by cutting the long strands of DNA to release excessive torsional stre
 sses. If these are added to the experimental environment\, individual cuts
  can be observed\, giving vital clues as to how the enzymes operate. We sh
 all examine in some detail the energy changes that can be induced by two t
 ypes of topoisomerase.\n
LOCATION:Engineering Department - LR6
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