Description

This colorized fluorescence image shows synthetic DNA nanostructures self-assembling within a water-in-oil droplet. Magenta marks phase-separated droplets of DNA nanostars; yellow highlights self-assembled DNA nanotubes. The full field of view spans ~113 × 150 microns.

By programming single-stranded DNA with specific base-pairing rules, we create nanoscale components that self-assemble into complex structures. In this system, DNA nanostars form liquid-like droplets through phase separation, while self-complementary tiles dynamically assemble into cylindrical nanotubes.

This model mimics key features of the centrosome, a membraneless organelle that organizes a cell’s microtubules. Like centrosomes, which form through protein phase separation and host microtubule growth by concentrating tubulin dimers, this synthetic analog demonstrates how compartmentalization and filament growth can be recapitulated entirely with DNA.