title: Spatial visualization of DNA in solution.
abstract: An image analysis method is presented which allows for the reconstruction of the three-dimensional path of filamentous objects from two of their projections. Starting with stereo pairs, this method is used to trace the trajectory of DNA molecules embedded in vitreous ice and leads to a faithful representation of their three-dimensional shape in solution. This computer-aided reconstruction is superior to the subjective three-dimensional impression generated by observation of stereo pairs of micrographs because it enables one to look at the reconstructed molecules from any chosen direction and distance and allows quantitative analysis such as determination of distances, curvature, persistence length, and writhe of DNA molecules in solution.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'Analyse Ultrastructurale, Université de Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dustin
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Furrer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stasiak
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dubochet
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Langowski
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Egelman
mesh_terms: D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004278:DNA, Superhelical / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010957:Plasmids; D012996:Solutions
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004278:DNA, Superhelical; D012996:Solutions