Scientists capture first detailed look inside droplet-like structures of compacted DNA

Scientists capture first detailed look inside droplet-like structures of compacted DNA

Inside human cells, biology has pulled off the ultimate packing job, figuring out how to fit six feet of DNA into a nucleus about one-tenth as wide as a human hair while making sure the all-important molecules can still function.

Microscopic Droplets Reveal DNA’s Secret Architecture

Six feet of human DNA crammed into a tiny nucleus relies on an elegant system of nucleosomes, fibers, and highly organized phase-separated condensates. Scientists have now captured the most detailed images yet of how chromatin fibers and nucleosomes arrange themselves inside these droplet-like structures, revealing how molecular architecture determines condensate behavior. How Cells Fit Six [...]

Researchers Capture the Most Detailed Images of Molecules in Chromatin Condensates

A team of researchers led by HHMI Investigator Michael Rosen has captured the most detailed images yet of the molecules in chromatin condensates — droplet-like structures of compacted DNA.