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The spatial organisation of the genome in the cell nucleus has emerged as a key element to understand gene function. A wealth of molecular and microscopic information has been accumulated, resulting in a variety of – sometimes contradictory – models of nuclear architecture. So far, however, a large part of this structural information and in consequence also the models derived from them are `qualitative΄. In this overview, a brief introduction will be given into quantitative experimental and modelling approaches to large scale nuclear genome architecture in human cells. As a biomedical application example, the use of a quantitative computer model of the 3D architecture allowed to explore different implications of nuclear structure on chromosomal aberrations. In addition, we shall present two novel examples for quantitative computer modelling: (1) The impact of SC 35 splicing domains on nuclear genome structure; (2) The dynamics of large scale nuclear genome structure in a Brownian motion model. Finally, we shall discuss some perspectives to extend quantitative nuclear structure analysis to the nanoscale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

In recent 30 years, optical data storage has undergone persistent development in response to the ever-growing information storage demands as a result of technological and market competition from magnetic and semiconductor memory technology. This chapter reviews basic principles and some important R&D progress on popular optical disk technology and other high-density optical storage technologies, such as superresolution, near-field, and three-dimensional optical storage technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...