Scientists Discover How DNA Is Folded Within the Nucleus

mikael writes "Sciencedaily.com is reporting that scientists have discovered how DNA is folded within the nucleus of a cell such that active genes remain accessible without becoming tangled. The first observation is that genes are actually stored in two locations. The first location acts as a cache where all active genes are kept. The second location is a denser storage area where inactive genes are kept. The second observation is that all genes are stored as fractal globules, which allows genes that are used together to be adjacent to each other when folded, even though they may be far apart when unfolded."

Comments

tell me something a child couldn't figure out

[nomadic]

The first observation is that genes are actually stored in two locations. The first location acts as a cache where all active genes are kept. The second location is a denser storage area where inactive genes are kept. The second observation is that all genes are stored as fractal globules, which allows genes that are used together to be adjacent to each other when folded, even though they may be far apart when unfolded.

Well OBVIOUSLY.

Obligatory

[davidwr]

All your base-pair are belong to us.

Re:Obligatory

[Anonymous Coward]

Mod your mom ugly.

OH YEAH!!!!

[Red Flayer]

FTA:

In the past, many scientists had thought that DNA was compressed into a different architecture called an "equilibrium globule," a configuration that is problematic because it can become densely knotted and does not easily open up.

Key to deciphering the genome's structure was the development of the new Hi-C technique, which permits genome-wide analysis of the proximity of individual genes.

When questioned about the research, Kool-Aid Man could only sob dejectedly as his rival took the glory.

Great

[thewils]

Now maybe Apple could apply this structure to my iPod earphones. They're _always_ getting tangled.

Re:Great

[LoverOfJoy]

I hate it when my schwartz gets tangled.

Re:Fascinating

[d474]

Could all the "junk" DNA that we supposedly don't use maybe have some sort of structural stabilization function?

That isn't "junk" DNA, that's God's comments inside the code you insensitive heretic!

Re:Hilbert Curve

[swanzilla]

So, life figured out a form of a Hilbert Curve for storing data? Cool!

Now, if life could just figure out how to get the blinking numbers off of my VCR...

Re:Fascinating

[amRadioHed]

Real gods don't comment their code. It was hard to write, it should be hard to read.

I am very disappointed...

[Jah-Wren Ryel]

It seems to me that Benoit Mandelbrot's discovery of fractal math is at least as important as Buckminster Fuller's obsession with geodesics. If Fuller got "Bucky Balls," I think fractal globules really ought to be called Benoit Balls.