The existence and nature of an active chromosome segregation apparatus in bacteria has been a long-standing debate. A novel Brownian ratchet-type mechanism of chromosome segregation mediated by the Min system is identified in E. coli.

substantial variations in intensity in our observed molecules at the higher ethanol concentrations are (i) suggestive of the higher order DNA conformations such as loops and toroids that have been observed in DNA dried on mica surfaces and (ii) in accord with the observation that the effective persistence length of DNA is reduced in ethanol solutions. 2426-Pos Local Conformation of Confined DNA Studied using Emission Polarization Anisotropy