Effects of crowding and confinement on the transport and localization of DNA

Steven Dang; Mehdi Shafiei Aporvari; Juexin Marfai; Kara Coursey; Ryan McGorty; Rae M Anderson

Effects of crowding and confinement on the transport and localization of DNA

POSTER

Abstract

Two hallmarks of the intracellular environment are crowding and confinement. Macromolecular crowding within cells induces depletion interactions that can lead to anomalous transport, clustering, and sequestration of macromolecules such as DNA. Confinement by the lipid membrane of cells further dictates macromolecular dynamics and localization. Here, we investigate the transport of DNA molecules through crowded and confined environments, using dextran polymers as crowders and using lipids to encapsulate DNA and dextran in cell-sized droplets. By varying the dextran concentration and lipid composition we can control the degree of crowding and the properties of the confining boundary. We use differential dynamic microscopy (DDM) and spatial image autocorrelation analysis to quantify DNA diffusion rates and organization within the droplets, and the dependence of these properties on dextran concentration as well as droplet size and stiffness. Our results shed light on the effects on the coupled effects of crowding and confinement on biomacromolecular transport in cells.

Presenters

Steven Dang

Department of Physics and Biophysics, University of San Diego, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA, 92110, USA, University of San Diego

Authors

Steven Dang

Department of Physics and Biophysics, University of San Diego, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA, 92110, USA, University of San Diego
Mehdi Shafiei Aporvari

Department of Physics and Biophysics, University of San Diego, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA, 92110, USA, University of San Diego
Juexin Marfai

Department of Physics and Biophysics, University of San Diego, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA, 92110, USA, University of San Diego
Kara Coursey

Department of Physics and Biophysics, University of San Diego, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA, 92110, USA, University of San Diego
Ryan McGorty

Department of Physics and Biophysics, University of San Diego, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA, 92110, USA, University of San Diego
Rae M Anderson

University of San Diego, Department of Physics and Biophysics, University of San Diego, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA, 92110, USA, University San Diego, Department of Physics and Biophysics, University of San Diego