A major question in chromatin biology is to what extent the sequence of DNA 
directly determines the genetic and chromatin organization of a eukaryotic 
genome? We consider two aspects to this question: the DNA sequence-specified 
positioning of nucleosomes and the determination of NDRs (nucleosome-depleted 
regions) or barriers. We argue that, in budding yeast, while DNA 
sequence-specified nucleosome positioning may contribute to positions flanking 
the regions lacking nucleosomes, DNA thermodynamic stability is a major 
component determinant of the genetic organization of this organism.