Chromatin: constructing the big picture

Chromatin is the ensemble of genomic DNA and a large number of proteins. Various genome-wide mapping techniques have begun to reveal that, despite the tremendous complexity, chromatin organization is governed by simple principles. This review discusses the principles that drive the spatial architecture of chromatin, as well as genome-wide-binding patterns of chromatin proteins. The EMBO Journal (2011) 30, 1885-1895. doi:10.1038/emboj.2011.135; Published online 28 April 2011