Nucleic acids are the vital information repositories of the cell, but are long molecules whose production and maintenance present mechanical and topological challenges. A battery of remarkable enzymes has evolved to deal with these problems; these include translocases, polymerases/replicases, helicases, topoisomerases, recombinases, and repair enzymes. A clear view of the biology of the genetic material requires an understanding of how these enzymes function. Such an understanding can also enhance our ability to manipulate genome structure and gene expression. The theme of the meeting will be the mechanisms of these enzymes, with particular emphasis on research that is integrating structural and biochemical approaches.
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