DNA, the carrier of genetic information is compacted into nucleosomes, which regulate access to that DNA. These nucleosomes are themselves folded into a higher order structure called chromatin....Show moreDNA, the carrier of genetic information is compacted into nucleosomes, which regulate access to that DNA. These nucleosomes are themselves folded into a higher order structure called chromatin. Little is known of the effect of this chromatin structure on the conformational dynamics of nucleosomes. Here we introduce a single-pair F¨orster Resonance Energy Transfer (spFRET) method that allows for quantitative measurement of nucleosome structure in folded fibers through both Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS) and burst analysis. Preliminary experiments determined optimal measurement concentrations and methods of excitation. However, measurements on reconstituted chromatin fibers showed poor signal-to-noise. We propose several improvements to enable the study of chromatin dynamics, such as nucleosome breathing. We expect the work outlined in this thesis to contribute to greater understanding of both nucleosome and chromatin structure, and how these regulate the accessibility of DNA to other molecules and proteins.Show less