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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."
So, life figured out a form of a Hilbert Curve for storing data? Cool!
"Be prepared, son. That's my motto. Be prepared." --Joe Hallenbeck
Well OBVIOUSLY
Yeah now. Seriously, while your answer is a bit flip, I did have that thought as well. All I know about DNA is the usual buzzword stuff - double helix, Crick and Watson, ACGT... etc. I never really thought about what it actually might look like.
But the diagram showing the tangled mess vs the "fractal" folding evoked a "duh" from me as well.
The trick is to be the first to prove a non-trivial "duh" fact.
This issue is a bit more complicated than you think.
And it makes use of a primary cache. "That's hot."
Python: 'And then suddenly you have a language which says "we're all stuck with whatever the whiniest coder wants".'
I'm confused, here. I'm certainly no biology expert, but I have taken a few courses, one of which the prof seemed to describe exactly how DNA folds. Indeed, it's spelled out in detail on this Wikipedia page on chromatin.
Is this information now obsolete?
It is a solemn thought: dead, the noblest man's meat is inferior to pork.