Transcriptional regulation of DNA liquid phase separation

The formation and control of membraneless compartments inside cells is integral to cell function. Multivalent DNA nanoscale particles, called nanostars, self-assemble via Watson-Crick base pairing into micron-sized membraneless liquid droplets. We have developed a nanostar system where the liquid-liquid phase separation is regulated in situ via transcription. Investigating the interplay between phase separation and transcriptional regulation will elucidate how real cells use phase separation to compartmentalize complex biomolecular reactions.