Each of our cells contains 1 meter of DNA that is tightly wrapped to fit inside the ~5 micron wide nucleus of the cell. This highly condensed state of our DNA plays a central role in how the information in our genes is replicated, read and repaired. Yet, the mechanics by which the genome organization regulates the processing of DNA remains a mystery. I will discuss what is currently understood about the first level of genomic organization, the nucleosome - a 50 nm stretch of DNA tightly wrapped ~2 times around a protein core. Recent measurements from our group suggest how mechanical properties of our genome could regulate gene expression and DNA repair. I will also introduce the concepts of epigenetics and discuss how the physical properties of our genome (3-dimensional structure and folding) might provide a layer of genetic information that is directly inherited.
