Single-Molecule Imaging of the Phase Separation-Modulated DNA Compaction to Study Transcriptional Repression

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) often induces the formation of biomolecule condensates at the cellular level. The importance of this phenomenon has been demonstrated in many important biological functions, such as in transcription. However, the biophysical nature of LLPS containing transcriptional machinery has not yet been carefully examined. Here, we give an overview of a novel high-throughput single-molecule technique, termed as DNA Curtains. It was established recently to dissect the DNA compaction process in real time. The experimental procedures are further discussed in detail in the context of the biomolecular condensates of a transcription repressor.