Order from the order: how a spatiotemporal genetic program is encoded in a 2-D genetic map of the bacterial chromosome

Abstract

In this article, we sketch out a holistic methodology used for exploring how the genetic program is encoded in a 2-D genetic map of a bacterial chromosome. We argue that the major problem resides in the conceptual integration of the two logically distinct types of information encoded in the chiral double-helical DNA polymer. This integration is accomplished by mapping the genetic function on the genomic sequence organisation and therefore is potentially applicable to any chromosome. The vast generalisation achieved by this approach necessarily ignores exquisite details, yet it is fundamental in providing comprehensive methodology for exploring the role of the DNA sequence organisation in harnessing genetic information and sustaining biological order.