Mark E Curtis
The geometry of DNA: a structural revision
- critical reason applied to the Crick and Watson proposal -
Prior to 1953 William Astbury, Linus Pauling, Robert Corey and Rosalind Franklin were all suggesting models in which the phosphate chains were attached by the means of the hydrogen bond. Glycosidic/covalent bonds become triumphant only with the acceptance of Crick & Watson's architecture. Their proposal would struggle to sustain itself without some pretty hefty bonds. Indeed every molecule in their model is held in position by clamps and unnatural forces instead of falling into position by means of a natural geochemical architecture.
The concept of Epigenetics would also tie in with the idea of the entire structure being held together by hydrogen bonds… it would increase energy efficient malleability, and also facilitate the specific location and structural changes needed to make that transformation.