Researchers at Princeton University have developed a groundbreaking tool that allows them to physically move DNA strands around, enabling a new level of study on gene expression. This innovative approach uses light to bend DNA strands, allowing scientists to manipulate the structure of chromosomes and assess how this affects gene expression.
The team discovered that chromosomes behave like elastic and liquid, which they leveraged to manipulate DNA physically. By bioengineering condensates that respond to laser light, they can pull back “the curtains” – or DNA strands – to probe the genome. This enables researchers to use these liquid-liquid forms of matter to manipulate the structure of DNA and assess how this might change gene expression.
This technology holds great promise for understanding diseases like cancer, which are caused by imbalances in protein production. By manipulating DNA strands with liquid droplets, scientists may be able to correct inherent flaws and create a more harmonious biological composition.
The research was published in the journal Cell and has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of gene expression and disease development.
Source: https://interestingengineering.com/science/scientists-bend-dna-strands-with-light-to-probe-the-genome