A model for the 3D chromatin architecture of pro and eukaryotes.

How do chromosomes fold and how does this depend on the organism and type of cell? This question has been addressed by a model and a methodology that uses only very basic constituents to capture the relevant features of folding. Key is the dynamic formation of loops within the chromosome. With this and entropy we show that the model is capable to describe the folding of human chromosomes in inter- and metaphase as well as for the Escherichia coli circular chromosomes.