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Genomic DNA in Eukaryotes00:58

Genomic DNA in Eukaryotes

Eukaryotes have large genomes compared to prokaryotes. To fit their genomes into a cell, eukaryotic DNA is packaged extraordinarily tightly inside the nucleus. To achieve this, DNA is tightly wound around proteins called histones, which are packaged into nucleosomes that are joined by linker DNA and coil into chromatin fibers. Additional fibrous proteins further compact the chromatin, which is recognizable as chromosomes during certain phases of cell division.
DNA Packaging00:58

DNA Packaging

Overview
DNA Packaging00:58

DNA Packaging

Overview
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...
DNA Isolation01:24

DNA Isolation

DNA isolation protocols can be fast and straightforward or complex and time-consuming depending on the type and quality of DNA required for further processing. For example, plasmid DNA extraction is a bit more complicated than genomic DNA extraction because of the need for an appropriate lysis method to separate plasmid DNA from gDNA during isolation. However, for specific applications, such as long-range DNA sequencing that require a good yield of high- quality DNA samples, we need to follow...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Creating Sub-50 Nm Nanofluidic Junctions in PDMS Microfluidic Chip via Self-Assembly Process of Colloidal Particles
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Creating Sub-50 Nm Nanofluidic Junctions in PDMS Microfluidic Chip via Self-Assembly Process of Colloidal Particles

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DNA nanostars that self-assemble into core-shell condensate microdroplets.

Karuna Skipper1,2, Shelley F J Wickham1,2,3

  • 1School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. shelley.wickham@sydney.edu.au.

Nanoscale Horizons
|February 25, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Researchers developed stable, multi-layered DNA nanostar droplets for controlled microreactors. These core-shell structures offer predictable size, stability, and permeability, enabling new programmable materials and synthetic biology applications.

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Area of Science:

  • Biomolecular Engineering
  • Synthetic Biology
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Phase-separating DNA condensates offer potential for synthetic cells and microreactors but suffer from instability and uncontrolled mixing.
  • Existing DNA condensates lack the stability and control needed for complex reaction pathways.
  • The inherent dynamic heterogeneity of DNA condensates limits their application in precise chemical processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To engineer stable, multi-layered DNA condensate droplets with distinct core and shell regions using DNA nanostars.
  • To investigate how nanostar properties influence droplet phase-separation, stability, size, and permeability.
  • To establish a method for creating controllable microscale reaction compartments for synthetic biology.

Main Methods:

  • Development of multi-layered DNA droplets using DNA nanostars with different sequences for core and shell formation.
  • Systematic exploration of nanostar geometry, valency, and interaction strength to optimize droplet properties.
  • Analysis of phase-separation temperature differences and surfactant nanostar proportions to control shell morphology and enclosure.

Main Results:

  • Successfully created core-shell DNA nanostar droplets with distinct, stable regions.
  • Demonstrated control over droplet size, stability, and core permeability by tuning nanostar composition and assembly conditions.
  • Identified specific conditions (e.g., >3°C phase-separation temperature difference, 16-25% surfactant nanostars) for forming membrane-like shells.
  • Showcased control over droplet size and membrane thickness via thermal annealing rates.

Conclusions:

  • Developed a versatile library of core-shell DNA nanostar droplets with predictable properties for microscale reaction compartments.
  • These droplets exhibit enhanced stability, controlled permeability, and tunable morphology, overcoming limitations of previous DNA condensates.
  • The engineered droplets provide a foundation for assembling programmable materials and synthetic microreactors with cell-like compartmentalization.