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                Department of Mathematical Sciences
                   The Johns Hopkins University


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Dorothy Buck                                           Thursday May 02, 2002
Department of Mathematics, and                         304 Whitehead Hall 
Department Biophysics and Biochemistry                 Refreshments: 3:30 PM
The Johns Hopkins University                           Seminar: 4:00 PM 

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                THE TOPOLOGY OF DNA-PROTEIN INTERACTIONS 

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                               ABSTRACT

In this talk, I'll affirmatively answer the following question: Given a 
particular protein, and given the topology of the DNA before and after 
the protein action, can one determine the local orientation of the
bound DNA?  I answer this using biochemical analyses coupled with
topological, primarily Dehn surgery, arguments.

(No prior knowledge of molecular biology is needed.)