  It is shown that information transmission inside a cell can occur by means of
mechanical waves transmitted through DNA. The propagation of the waves is
strongly dependent on the shape of the DNA thus proteins that change the shape
of DNA can alter signal transmission. The overall effect is a method of signal
processing by DNA binding proteins that creates a "cellular communications
network".
  The propagation of small amplitude disturbances through DNA is treated
according to the mechanical theory of elastic rods. According to the theory
four types of mechanical waves affecting extension(compression), twist, bend or
shear can propagate through DNA. Each type of wave has unique characteristic
properties. Disturbances affecting all wave types can propagate independently
of each other. Using a linear approximation to the theory of motion of elastic
rods, the dispersion of these waves is investigated. The phase velocities of
the waves lies in the range 5-8 angstroms/ps using constants suitable for a
description of DNA. The dispersion of all wave types of arbitrary wave length
is investigated for a straight, twisted rod.
  Based on these findings, we propose all-atom numerical simulations of DNA to
investigate the propagation of these waves as an alternative measure of the
wave velocity and dispersion analysis.
