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Related Concept Videos

The Nucleosome01:19

The Nucleosome

Human DNA is almost two meters long. However, it is compressed inside a tiny nucleus measuring only a few microns in diameter. To make this degree of compaction possible, DNA is organized into several sequential levels so that it can fit into such a tiny space. The most compact form of DNA is a chromosome that can be seen under a microscope in a dividing cell.
In a chromosome, DNA is wound twice around a protein complex called a histone octamer core, which consists of 8 histone proteins. This...
The Nucleosome02:33

The Nucleosome

DNA in a human cell is almost 2m long and it is packed inside a tiny nucleus that is only a few microns in diameter. The level of compaction of DNA inside the nucleus is astonishing. It is organized into several sequentially higher levels of compaction to fit into such a tiny space. The most compact form of DNA is a chromosome that can be seen under a microscope in a dividing cell.
DNA is wound twice around a protein complex called histone core, that consist of 8 histone proteins. This complex...
The Nucleosome02:33

The Nucleosome

DNA in a human cell is almost 2m long and it is packed inside a tiny nucleus that is only a few microns in diameter. The level of compaction of DNA inside the nucleus is astonishing. It is organized into several sequentially higher levels of compaction to fit into such a tiny space. The most compact form of DNA is a chromosome that can be seen under a microscope in a dividing cell.
DNA is wound twice around a protein complex called histone core, that consist of 8 histone proteins. This complex...
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.
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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Hi-C: A Method to Study the Three-dimensional Architecture of Genomes.
22:27

Hi-C: A Method to Study the Three-dimensional Architecture of Genomes.

Published on: May 6, 2010

Local geometry and elasticity in compact chromatin structure.

Elena F Koslover1, Colin J Fuller, Aaron F Straight

  • 1Biophysics Program, Biochemistry Department, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.

Biophysical Journal
|December 16, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

DNA packaging into chromatin fibers is influenced by nanoscale physical properties. Our model shows DNA elasticity and linker length dictate preferred helical structures, impacting genome accessibility and replication dynamics.

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Last Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Hi-C: A Method to Study the Three-dimensional Architecture of Genomes.
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Published on: May 6, 2010

3D Multicolor DNA FISH Tool to Study Nuclear Architecture in Human Primary Cells
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Published on: January 25, 2020

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

Published on: November 11, 2025

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Hierarchical DNA packaging into chromatin is crucial for eukaryotic genome organization.
  • Chromatin structure affects genomic information accessibility and replication dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of nanoscale physical and geometric properties in chromatin structure at the mesoscale.
  • To model DNA packaging in chromatin fibers, considering DNA elasticity and nucleosome/linker steric packing.

Main Methods:

  • Optimization of regular helical morphologies for DNA packaging.
  • Inclusion of linker DNA elasticity and nucleosome steric constraints in the model.
  • Analysis of preferred helix structures based on varying linker DNA lengths.

Main Results:

  • A broad range of preferred helix structures were predicted for fixed linker DNA lengths.
  • Internucleosome repeat length (twist registry) determines the angle between nucleosomes and the fiber axis.
  • Energetically comparable configurations with varied nucleosome-nucleosome interactions suggest kinetic trapping in chromatin formation for moderate to long linkers.

Conclusions:

  • DNA elasticity and local geometry are key regulators of hierarchical genome packaging.
  • The findings provide insights into the physical principles governing chromatin fiber formation.
  • Understanding these principles is essential for comprehending genome accessibility and replication control.