nd During June 13 -June 23 1996, the 2 EL. B. A. Foundation course on Genome, a NATO Advanced Study Institute, was held at Marcian Marina, Isle of Elba, Italy, - sponsored by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the EL. B. A. Fundation. The subject of the course was "Genome Structure and Function" with participants selected worldwire from 15 afferent countries. The purpose of the course and of the resulting book is the study of DNA structure (from the primary to the quintemary) and gene expression in the control of cell function and cell cycle progression; the topics were presented by top experts, covering both structural (cbwn to the atomic resolution) and functional (cbwn to gene level) aspects. The topics were presented by top experts and scientists active in the field, with the goal to give an insight into modm problems of genome study and recent ochievements in related fielm of molecular and cell biology, genetic engineering, biochemistry and biophysics, oncology and biotechnology. This resulting book is intenred to give a broad perspecti ve of the current stand of these fields. The major emphasis is towarm a reep unrerstanang of DNA structure and function in intetphase and metaphase chromosomes, originating by the parallel biophysical (namely NMR X-Ray and neutron scattering, spectropolarimetry, image analysis, calorimetry) and biochemical study conwcted on a wire range of cell systems placing the emphasis on either the higher orrer DNA structure or gene structure and function.