Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 9, 2025
10:32
On-chip Isotachophoresis for Separation of Ions and Purification of Nucleic Acids
Published on: March 2, 2012
24.7K
Chiral Matching between Nucleic Acids and Polypeptides Facilitates Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation.
Pravin Pokhrel1, Zhilei Zhang1, Jiahao Ji1
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, United States.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
|September 4, 2025
Summary
This study reveals how liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) evolves from single molecules to large condensates, driven by matching chirality. This finding offers new ways to control LLPS for medicine and biomaterials.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Molecular Biology
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a crucial cellular process.
- The full mechanism of LLPS evolution, from intramolecular to intermolecular interactions, remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolution mechanism of LLPS using poly(G-quadruplex) and poly(lysine).
- To elucidate the role of chirality in LLPS formation and progression.
Main Methods:
- Single-molecule force spectroscopy with optical tweezers to study intramolecular condensation.
- Microscopy-based ensemble clouding assay to analyze macroscopic condensate properties.
Main Results:
- Identified four intramolecular condensation states at low concentrations.
- Observed LLPS evolution from liquid-like to solid-like condensates with increasing concentrations.
- Demonstrated that matching chirality between nucleic acids and peptides facilitates LLPS.
Conclusions:
- Intermolecular interaction, driven by matching chirality, is the primary force in LLPS.
- Understanding LLPS evolution opens avenues for targeted therapeutics and functional biomaterials development.
Related Concept Videos
01:11High-Performance Liquid Chromatography: Introduction
2.3K
High-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC), formerly referred to as High-pressure liquid chromatography, is a powerful technique used to separate, identify, and quantify components in complex mixtures. The term "high pressure" refers to using high pressure to push the liquid mobile phase through the tightly packed columns.
In HPLC, two phases play a critical role in the separation process:
In HPLC, two phases play a critical role in the separation process:
2.3K
02:30Chirality in Nature
13.7K
Chirality is the most intriguing yet essential facet of nature, governing life’s biochemical processes and precision. It can be observed from a snail shell pattern in a macroscopic world to an amino acid, the minutest building block of life. Most of the snails around the world have right-coiled shells because of the intrinsic chirality in their genes. All the amino acids present in the human body exist in an enantiomerically pure state, except for glycine - the sole achiral amino acid.
13.7K
01:30Capillary Electrophoresis: Applications
524
Capillary electrophoretic separations offer various modes, each with unique applications. These modes include capillary zone electrophoresis, capillary gel electrophoresis, capillary array electrophoresis, capillary isoelectric focusing, capillary isotachophoresis, micellar electrokinetic chromatography, and capillary electrochromatography.
Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) separates ionic components based on their electrophoretic mobility. It has been used to separate proteins, amino acids,...
Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) separates ionic components based on their electrophoretic mobility. It has been used to separate proteins, amino acids,...
524
01:03Affinity Chromatography
940
Affinity chromatography is a powerful technique extensively utilized for separating and purifying specific biomolecules from complex mixtures. It capitalizes on the highly selective binding between an analyte and its counterpart, such as antibody-antigen interactions. The counterpart is immobilized on the stationary phase, forming an affinity column. The stationary phase typically consists of solid support, such as agarose or porous glass beads, immobilizing the affinity ligand. The mobile...
940
01:13Principles Of Column Chromatography
7.1K
The chromatography technique was first invented in 1901 by Michael S. Tswett, a Russian botanist, to separate plant pigments using organic solvents. Further, in 1941, Archer John Porter Martin and R. L. M. Synge modified the technique by packing silica gel into a column. A mixture of amino acids was then separated on the packed column using chloroform and water mixture as the mobile phase. This was the first report on column chromatography. At present, column chromatography is a widely used...
7.1K
01:22Two-dimensional Gel Electrophoresis
6.3K
Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis is a high-resolution protein separation method first introduced by O' Farrell and Klose in 1975. This method involves protein separation by two dimensions, mass and charge, making it more accurate than one-dimensional gel electrophoresis.
The first dimension separation uses the isoelectric focusing or IEF technique performed on immobilized pH gradient (IPG) strips that separate proteins according to their isoelectric points.
Biological samples, such...
The first dimension separation uses the isoelectric focusing or IEF technique performed on immobilized pH gradient (IPG) strips that separate proteins according to their isoelectric points.
Biological samples, such...
6.3K