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Chromatin Packaging

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 Packaging

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.

The DNA Helix

The DNA Helix

The DNA Helix

The DNA Helix

Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is the genetic material responsible for passing traits from generation to generation in all organisms and most viruses. DNA is composed of two strands of nucleotides that wind around each other to form a spring-like structure called a double helix. However, the double helix is not perfectly symmetrical. Instead, there are regularly occurring grooves in the structure. The major groove occurs where the sugar-phosphate backbones are relatively far apart. This space...

The Nucleosome

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 Nucleosome

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...

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Updated: May 20, 2026

Stable DNA Motifs, 1D and 2D Nanostructures Constructed from Small Circular DNA Molecules

Stable DNA Motifs, 1D and 2D Nanostructures Constructed from Small Circular DNA Molecules

Published on: April 12, 2019

Charge transport within a three-dimensional DNA nanostructure framework.

Na Lu¹, Hao Pei, Zhilei Ge

¹Laboratory of Physical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China.

Journal of the American Chemical Society

|July 20, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study explores DNA-mediated charge transport (CT) in 3D DNA nanostructures. It reveals distinct pathways for different molecules, advancing DNA-based molecular electronics and biosensor design.

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Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Nanotechnology
Biophysics

Background:

Three-dimensional (3D) DNA nanostructures offer potential in molecular sensing and therapeutics.
Understanding charge transport (CT) mechanisms within these structures is crucial for developing advanced electronic devices.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the kinetics of DNA-mediated charge transport (CT) within a 3D DNA nanostructure.
To differentiate between through-duplex and through-space CT mechanisms using specific redox probes.

Main Methods:

Utilized a tetrahedral DNA nanostructure framework.
Studied charge transport of methylene blue (MB) and ferrocene (Fc) redox molecules.
Measured CT rates for molecules bound to specific positions on a gold electrode surface.

Main Results:

Demonstrated efficient mediated CT over longer distances along the DNA duplex for the intercalative MB probe.
Showed that the nonintercalative Fc probe undergoes through-space electron tunneling.
Provided kinetic data distinguishing CT pathways based on molecular probe characteristics.

Conclusions:

The study elucidates distinct charge transport mechanisms within 3D DNA nanostructures.
Findings contribute to the understanding of DNA-based molecular electronics.
Provides insights for designing high-performance DNA biosensor devices.