Physicists unravel the mechanics of DNA

A team of physicists at KU Leuven are improving our understanding of how DNA works. Amongst their findings is the proof of the elusive 'twist-bend coupling', the theory of which was first proposed in 1990. They also found out exactly why our DNA is coiled tighter in some places, while it's looser in others. The DNA within our cells is an almost two-metre string of information, stored in a nucleus of only a few micrometres large. The information within those tightly coiled bends and twists needs to be continuously accessed and read - not an easy task. Scientists have long theorised that DNA has a specific mechanism to it that might make it more accessible. In 1990, a theory was put forward, saying that it's possible that if you twist DNA, it would also bend automatically.