The geometry of chromatin

Abstract

We investigate the large-scale geometry of the DNA-protein complex of chromatin using a generalized optimality principle, which requires that not only should all sub-parts of a natural process be optimal but also the unfolding of higher recursive levels. It was shown previously that an information-theoretic geometry of the genetic code data, together with the principle of maximum entropy, explains the variation in the codon groupings that map into different amino acids and explain its underlying self-similar structure. Here we take that analysis forward and investigate the fundamental geometry underling physical and biological space as it gets reflected in aggregates associated with genomic DNA. The analysis is consistent with the measured fractal dimension of chromatin.