Anniversary Lecture

Simulating DNA from nucleobases to the chromatin

Modesto Orozco, PhD

DNA is a fascinating molecule who carries most of the genomic information in developed organisms. From the point of view of a theoretician DNA is one of the most complex systems to study, since it represents the perfect multi-scale problem moving from the sub nanometer scale of nucleobases to millimeter scale of chromatin. I will summarize during my talk recent approaches developed for the multi-scale simulation of DNA and how they can be used to decipher a hidden part of the genetic code, that connecting basic physical properties of DNA with gene regulatory mechanisms. Special emphasis will be made to our effort to determine the existence of physical rules that signal regulatory regions, determine nucleosomal architecture and modulate epigenetic responses.