Physics of DNA

This book is about the physical properties of DNA. The principles of its structural organization, mechanisms of stability, and structural transitions, as well as polymer and polyelectrolyte properties, are considered. The features of circular DNA molecules, mechanisms of interaction between DNA and other molecules, and the structural dynamics of DNA within chromatin are also described. The primary focus is on theoretical concepts that explain DNA's properties. Examples of experimental results are also given to illustrate the theoretical points. The book is intended for students and researchers interested in molecular biology and biophysics. It will help them to better understand the properties of the most important biological macromolecule in the context of its biological functioning.

Andrei Sivolob is a Professor at the Institute of Biology and Medicine, Taras Shevchenko National University (Kyiv, Ukraine). He was also working at the Institut Jacques Monod (Paris, France) for several years. His research interests are focused on DNA: its physical properties, circular DNA topology, DNA‒protein interactions, and chromatin structure. In particular, he made an essential contribution to understanding the mechanisms of structural transitions of the elementary unit of chromatin, the nucleosome. He is the author of more than 60 scientific articles, several chapters in monographs, and 4 handbooks on molecular biology, genetics, and chromatin structure.