Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Genomic DNA in Eukaryotes00:58

Genomic DNA in Eukaryotes

Eukaryotes have large genomes compared to prokaryotes. To fit their genomes into a cell, eukaryotic DNA is packaged extraordinarily tightly inside the nucleus. To achieve this, DNA is tightly wound around proteins called histones, which are packaged into nucleosomes that are joined by linker DNA and coil into chromatin fibers. Additional fibrous proteins further compact the chromatin, which is recognizable as chromosomes during certain phases of cell division.
Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes03:21

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.
Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes03:21

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.
DNA Packaging00:58

DNA Packaging

Overview
Chromatin Packaging01:32

Chromatin Packaging

Each human somatic cell contains 6 billion base pairs of DNA. Each base pair is 0.34 nm long, meaning each diploid cell contains a staggering 2 meters of DNA. This long DNA strand is packed inside a nucleus measuring only 10-20 microns in diameter with the help of specialized DNA-binding proteins called histones. Together they form a compact DNA-protein complex called chromatin. The chromatin is further compacted into higher-order structures. The highest level of compaction is achieved during...
Chromatin Packaging02:21

Chromatin Packaging

Each human somatic cell contains 6 billion base-pairs of DNA. Each base-pair is 0.34 nm long, which means that each diploid cell contains a staggering 2 meters of DNA. How is such a long DNA strand packed inside a nucleus measuring only 10 - 20 microns in diameter? 
The chromatin
In combination with specialized DNA binding protein called Histones, the DNA double helix forms a compact DNA: protein complex called chromatin. The chromatin itself is further compacted into higher-order structures.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Surveillance and molecular characterization of banana viruses associated with Musa germplasm in Malawi.

PloS one·2026
Same author

Whole-genome resequencing of the wild barley diversity collection: a resource for identifying and exploiting genetic variation for cultivated barley improvement.

G3 (Bethesda, Md.)·2025
Same author

Public perception of new plant breeding techniques for sustainable production of feed and food in the Czech Republic.

New biotechnology·2025
Same author

Progress and innovations of gene cloning in wheat and its close relatives.

TAG. Theoretical and applied genetics. Theoretische und angewandte Genetik·2025
Same author

Protein Kinase-Major Sperm Protein (PK-MSP) Genes Mediate Recognition of the Fungal Necrotrophic Effector SnTox3 to Cause Septoria nodorum Blotch in Wheat.

Molecular plant-microbe interactions : MPMI·2025
Same author

A linkage map of Aegilops biuncialis reveals significant genomic rearrangements compared to bread wheat.

The plant genome·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 11, 2026

A Cell-Free Assay Using Xenopus laevis Embryo Extracts to Study Mechanisms of Nuclear Size Regulation
14:27

A Cell-Free Assay Using Xenopus laevis Embryo Extracts to Study Mechanisms of Nuclear Size Regulation

Published on: August 8, 2016

Nuclear genome size: are we getting closer?

Jaroslav Dolezel1, Johann Greilhuber

  • 1Laboratory of Molecular Cytogenetics and Cytometry, Institute of Experimental Botany, Sokolovská 6, CZ-77200 Olomouc, Czech Republic. dolezel@ueb.cas.cz

Cytometry. Part a : the Journal of the International Society for Analytical Cytology
|June 29, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Accurate genome size data is crucial for research and sequencing projects. This study examines DNA reference standards for flow cytometry, highlighting issues with calibration and standardization to improve data reliability.

More Related Videos

Mapping Absolute DNA Density in Cell Nuclei using Single-molecule Localization Microscopy
10:57

Mapping Absolute DNA Density in Cell Nuclei using Single-molecule Localization Microscopy

Published on: November 11, 2025

An Array-based Comparative Genomic Hybridization Platform for Efficient Detection of Copy Number Variations in Fast Neutron-induced Medicago truncatula Mutants
09:32

An Array-based Comparative Genomic Hybridization Platform for Efficient Detection of Copy Number Variations in Fast Neutron-induced Medicago truncatula Mutants

Published on: November 8, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 11, 2026

A Cell-Free Assay Using Xenopus laevis Embryo Extracts to Study Mechanisms of Nuclear Size Regulation
14:27

A Cell-Free Assay Using Xenopus laevis Embryo Extracts to Study Mechanisms of Nuclear Size Regulation

Published on: August 8, 2016

Mapping Absolute DNA Density in Cell Nuclei using Single-molecule Localization Microscopy
10:57

Mapping Absolute DNA Density in Cell Nuclei using Single-molecule Localization Microscopy

Published on: November 11, 2025

An Array-based Comparative Genomic Hybridization Platform for Efficient Detection of Copy Number Variations in Fast Neutron-induced Medicago truncatula Mutants
09:32

An Array-based Comparative Genomic Hybridization Platform for Efficient Detection of Copy Number Variations in Fast Neutron-induced Medicago truncatula Mutants

Published on: November 8, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cytometry

Background:

  • Genome size variation in eukaryotes presents a long-standing research challenge with implications for biological significance.
  • Accurate genome size data is increasingly vital for planning and executing genome sequencing projects, influencing scale and cost.
  • Despite decades of research, precise genome sizes for many species remain uncertain, with conflicting estimates hindering comparative analyses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the current status of DNA reference standards used in flow cytometry for genome size determination.
  • To identify and discuss the critical issues related to the calibration of these DNA reference standards.
  • To address the need for standardization in genome size measurements to improve data consistency and comparability.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current practices and available DNA reference standards for flow cytometry.
  • Analysis of calibration procedures and their impact on genome size accuracy.
  • Identification of discrepancies and challenges in existing methodologies.

Main Results:

  • Significant variability and lack of standardization exist in current DNA reference standards for flow cytometry.
  • Calibration issues lead to discrepancies in genome size estimates across different studies and laboratories.
  • The current state of standards compromises the reliability and comparability of eukaryotic genome size data.

Conclusions:

  • Standardization of DNA reference standards and calibration protocols is essential for accurate genome size determination.
  • Addressing methodological problems in flow cytometry is critical for advancing genomic research and sequencing initiatives.
  • Improved standardization will enhance data consistency, facilitating robust comparisons and interpretations in genomics.