Until recently, the process of how genomic DNA neatly folds itself into the nucleus of a cell -- twisting and contorting into a work of astonishingly compact molecular origami -- had perplexed biologists.
When unstretched onto its two-dimensional, double-helix form, the human genome spans nearly two meters in length, yet it must fit inside the cell nucleus, which is only a hundredth of a millimeter in diameter. How exactly the genome can compress into an unknown three-dimensional structure and retain some sort of underlying order, all while persisting tangle-free, remained a fundamental mystery in structural biology.
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As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
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