The knot theory of molecules

Macromolecules (such as polymethelyene and DNA) are large and flexible, and can present themselves in 3-space in topologically interesting ways. The branch of topology known asknot theory is the mathematical study of flexible graphs in 3-space. Knot theory can be used to quantify and compare the various configurations of large molecules, and to study the various spatial isomers of molecules which have complicated molecular graphs.

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