Theoretical and Experimental Dissection of DNA Loop-Mediated Repression

Transcriptional networks across all domains of life feature a wide range of regulatory architectures. Theoretical models now make clear predictions about how key parameters describing those architectures modulate gene expression, and the ability to construct genetic circuits with tunable parameters enables precise tests of such models. We dissect gene regulation through DNA looping by tuning network parameters such as repressor copy number, DNA binding strengths, and loop length in both thermodynamic models and experiments. Our results help clarify the short-length mechanical properties of DNA.