DNA is the blueprint of life. It contains all the genetic information required for complex organisms to be alive and to sustain life.

About Davide Michieletto
"I am a Professor of Biomaterials at the University of Edinburgh working on Topological Problems in Soft Matter and Biology. I am a 2024 Philip Leverhulme Prize Winner.
I am the group leader of the Topological Active Polymers Lab. We aim to discover new DNA-based topological soft materials and complex fluids that can change properties in time. The group's expertise is rooted in polymer and statistical physics and employs both simulations and experiments to answer our questions. We believe boundaries between disciplines were made to be broken, and we do our best to shatter them every day."

Key Points
• DNA is not only the blueprint of life, but from a physical perspective it is a long string that needs to be packaged in the cell. The way DNA is packaged and folded influences how genes are expressed.
• The shape and folding of chromatin in the cell nucleus play a crucial role in determining which genes are active, impacting cell function and identity.
• Genome organization is dynamic and responds to environmental cues, such as pathogens, allowing cells to adapt by altering gene expression.
• The discovery of DNA’s structure was a competitive and interdisciplinary effort, highlighting both the collaborative and ego-driven sides of scientific research.