Every animal, plant, bacteria, and virus on the planet contains DNA. DNA is the molecule that ties us all together and the molecule that encodes our differentiation. One of the most important scientific discoveries in the future will be how to harness the genetic code within DNA to fight disease and aging, to re-engineer our ecosystem or food sources, or to clone extinct species. What is even more interesting is that we will need physics to make these discoveries. This is because DNA requires an amazing amount of processing. Cells must mount an impressive series of motors, regulators, remodelers, and recruiters to even “look” at the DNA. That means that changes in the physics of this machinery can be just as important as changes in the genetic code itself. In this talk, we will look at the physics behind some molecular machines that unwind and unfold DNA. These molecules reshape the DNA in surprising ways, leading to important implications for future genetic engineers.