IUBMB Life, the flagship journal of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology featured cover images and a research article on the DNA topological barrier models for its July 2013 cover. The article was written by FIU Chemistry & Biochemistry professor Fenfei Leng, post-doc Geraldine Fulcrand and graduate student Xiaoduo Zhi.
Entitled “Transcription-couple DNA supercoiling in Defined Protein Systems and E. coli topA Mutant Strains,” the research article describes how coiling of the double-helix DNA coil, aptly called supercoiling, prevents chromosome segments from uncoiling too rapidly.
For some cool images of DNA supercoiled molecules obtained here with an Atomic Force Microscope, visit the IUBMB online library link.
