Virtual Microscopy
Microscopy Primer
License Info
Image Use
Custom Photos
Partners
Site Info
Contact Us
Publications
Home

Visit Science,
Optics, & You


The Galleries:

Photo Gallery
Silicon Zoo
Pharmaceuticals
Chip Shots
Phytochemicals
Microscapes
Vitamins
Amino Acids
Birthstones
Religion Collection
Pesticides
BeerShots
Cocktail Collection
Screen Savers
Win Wallpaper
Mac Wallpaper
Movie Gallery

Liquid Crystalline DNA

In the laboratory scientists usually investigate the physical and biological properties of DNA in dilute solution.

However, in vivo DNA exists in domains where the localized concentrations are very high. As the aqueous solution concentration of DNA is slowly increased, the macromolecule undergoes spontaneous phase transitions to form at least three distinct liquid crystalline phases which are termed lyotropic phase transitions in the liquid crystal field.

The phase of DNA depicted on the banner photomicrograph of this page is a high-density columnar hexatic liquid crystalline phase where the DNA concentration is 400-500 milligrams per milliliter.

These are concentrations approaching those found in bacterial nucleoids, dinoflagellate chromosomes, virus capsids, and sperm heads indicating that the DNA in these organelles probably exists in a liquid crystalline state.

Our DNA collection contains over 4000 photomicrographs of liquid crystalline DNA in a variety of phases and concentrations. The various textures exhibited by DNA provide a unique kaleidoscope of patterns that is typical of the way nature is viewed under the microscope.

Liquid Crystalline DNA

BACK TO THE MOVIE GALLERY

Questions or comments? Send us an email.
© 1995-2022 by Michael W. Davidson and The Florida State University. All Rights Reserved. No images, graphics, software, scripts, or applets may be reproduced or used in any manner without permission from the copyright holders. Use of this website means you agree to all of the Legal Terms and Conditions set forth by the owners.
This website is maintained by our
Graphics & Web Programming Team
in collaboration with Optical Microscopy at the
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.
Last modification: Friday, Nov 13, 2015 at 02:18 PM
Access Count Since October 1, 1995: 37853
Microscopes provided exclusively by: