Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Physical models for exploring DNA topology.

N C Seeman1

  • 1Department of Chemistry, New York University, NY 10003.

Journal of Biomolecular Structure & Dynamics
|April 1, 1988
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Molecular ping-pong Game of Life on a two-dimensional DNA origami array.

Philosophical transactions. Series A, Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences·2015
Same author

Two dimensions and two States in DNA nanotechnology.

Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics·2012
Same author

Subdiffusion of a sticky particle on a surface.

Physical review letters·2011
Same author

Multimerization-cyclization of DNA fragments as a method of conformational analysis.

Biophysical journal·2000
Same author

Logical computation using algorithmic self-assembly of DNA triple-crossover molecules.

Nature·2000
Same author

Cleavage of symmetric immobile DNA junctions by Escherichia coli RuvC.

Biochemistry·2000
Same journal

Anti-mycobacterial activity of phytocompounds from <i>Ricinus communis</i> L. - an integrated <i>in-vitro</i> and <i>in-silico</i> approach.

Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics·2026
Same journal

Binding studies of the X-ray characterized [SnMe<sub>2</sub>Cl<sub>2</sub>(Me<sub>2</sub>phen)] complex with human serum albumin: experimental and molecular docking approaches.

Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics·2026
Same journal

Computational design and experimental validation of peptide inhibitors to disrupt urease enzyme maturation in pathogenic bacteria <i>Proteus mirabilis</i>.

Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics·2026
Same journal

Wavelet-domain multiway spectral separation of free drug, DNA, and drug-DNA complex profiles for quantitative binding analysis based on fractional occupancy (<i>θ</i>).

Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics·2026
Same journal

Gene expression and microsecond scale conformational dynamics suggest potential regulatory mechanisms for the expanded subtilase family of <i>T. rubrum</i>.

Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics·2026
Same journal

Deciphering the Role of Sugar Osmolytes in Free and Nano forms to Mitigate Protein Aggregation: Insights from Biophysical and Microscopic Studies.

Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics·2026
See all related articles

New physical models represent DNA topology using jacks-and-straws and flexible tubing. These low-resolution DNA models aid in visualizing complex structures like branched, supercoiled, and knotted DNA molecules.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • Understanding DNA topology is crucial for various biological processes.
  • Existing models may not adequately represent complex DNA structures.
  • Visualizing DNA topology aids in interpreting experimental data.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop novel physical models for representing DNA molecules.
  • To create low-resolution DNA constructs that preserve key structural features.
  • To facilitate the study and interpretation of DNA topology.

Main Methods:

  • Development of two distinct model motifs combining jacks-and-straws representations with flexible tubing.
  • Utilizing stiff double helices and flexible branch sites for branched DNA models.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Employing a scaffolding system with stiff helical struts for supercoiled and knotted DNA.

    • Main Results:

    • Both models retain DNA helix axes, strand individuality, and major/minor groove distinguishability.
    • Branched DNA molecules are modeled using stiff helices and flexible branch sites.
    • Supercoiled and knotted DNA are effectively represented by a scaffolded flexible backbone.

    Conclusions:

    • The developed physical models offer a simplified yet informative representation of DNA topology.
    • These models are lightweight, easy to construct, and suitable for demonstrations.
    • The models serve as valuable research tools for interpreting DNA structural data.