Random matrix theory on chromosomes

Preliminary work suggests that techniques from random matrix theory can be used to model the positions of the replication origins on chromosomes: sites where DNA begins to copy itself. It has been observed in the biology literature that there is a low probability of replication origins occurring, on the one hand, very close together or, on the other, having large distances between them. This is very characteristic of the eigenvalues of random matrices and preliminary results suggest that the distribution of spacings for some organisms can be predicted by random matrix theory. The aim is to build a model for locations of replication origins that might shed light on the underlying biology and on the processes that cause replication during cell division to break down. There may also be scope for investigating the statistical distribution of other events on chromosomes.