Whole-genome views of chromatin structure

DNA in eukaryotes is packed into chromatin. The basic component of chromatin is the nucleosome consisting of DNA wrapped around a histone octamer. Inside the cell nucleus, chromatin is folded into higher-order structures through various mechanisms, including repositioning of nucleosomes along the DNA, packing of nucleosomes into more condensed 3-dimensional configurations, looping of chromatin fibres, and tethering of chromosomal regions to nuclear structures. Over the past few years, new microarray-based methods have been developed for the genome-wide mapping of various aspects of chromatin structure. These methods are beginning to provide insights into the different types of chromatin and the architectural principles that govern the 3-dimensional organisation of the genome inside the nucleus.