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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...

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...

DNA Packaging

DNA Packaging

DNA Packaging

DNA Packaging

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 5, 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

A Compact DNA Cube with Side Length 10 nm.

Max B Scheible^1,2, Luvena L Ong³, Johannes B Woehrstein^3,4

¹Physics Department and ZNN/WSI, Technische Universität München, Am Coulombwall 4a, 85748, Garching, Germany.

Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)

|August 22, 2015

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers created a compact DNA cube using a generalized DNA brick method. This novel nanostructure shows improved stability and assembly, with potential as a nanoscale fluorescent probe.

Keywords:

DNA bricks DNA nanostructures DNA-PAINT super-resolution microscopy

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Area of Science:

Nanotechnology
Synthetic Biology
Biophysics

Background:

DNA nanotechnology enables the construction of complex nanoscale structures.
DNA origami and DNA brick self-assembly are key techniques in DNA nanotechnology.
Developing stable and high-yield DNA nanostructures is crucial for applications.

Purpose of the Study:

To construct a small, compact DNA cube using a generalized DNA brick concept.
To enhance the stability and assembly yield of DNA nanostructures.
To demonstrate the potential of the DNA cube as a nanoscale fluorescent probe.

Main Methods:

Utilized a generalized DNA brick concept with short synthetic oligonucleotides of varying lengths.
Employed design principles inspired by the DNA origami technique.
Applied super-resolution imaging to assess the DNA cube's function.

Main Results:

Successfully constructed a zeptoliter-volume DNA cube.
Achieved higher stability and assembly yields compared to existing methods.
Demonstrated the DNA cube's utility as a nanoscale fluorescent probe.

Conclusions:

The generalized DNA brick approach is effective for creating stable, high-yield DNA nanostructures.
The constructed DNA cube shows promise for applications in nanoscale imaging and sensing.