Modulation of Phase Separation by RNA: A Glimpse on N6-Methyladenosine Modification

Phase separation is the driving force behind formation of various biomolecular condensates (BioMCs), which sub-compartmentalize certain cellular components in a membraneless manner to orchestrate numerous biological processes. Many BioMCs are composed of proteins and RNAs. While the features and functions of proteins are well studied, less attention was paid to the other essential component RNAs. Here, we describe how RNA contributes to the biogenesis, dissolution, and properties of BioMCs as a multivalence providing scaffold for proteins/RNA to undergo phase separation. Specifically, we focus on N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most widely distributed dynamic post-transcriptional modification, which would change the charge, conformation, and RNA-binding protein (RBP) anchoring of modified RNA. m6A RNA-modulated phase separation is a new perspective to illustrate m6A-mediated various biological processes. We summarize m6A main functions as “beacon” to recruit reader proteins and “structural switcher” to alter RNA–protein and RNA–RNA interactions to modulate phase separation and regulate the related biological processes.

High Precision Optical Wavefront Generation Using Liquid Crystal Spatial Light Modulator (LC-SLM)

LC-SLM provides a flexible way to modulate the phase of light with the help of a grayscale pattern loaded on it. Nevertheless, the modulated phase profile is of relatively low accuracy due to the nonlinear and nonuniform response of the liquid crystal layer in the SLM. To improve the performance of LC-SLM on the wavefront generation, the nonlinear and nonuniform phase response needs to be calibrated and compensated effectively. In this chapter, we present some state-of-art methods to measure the phase modulation curve of the LC-SLM. Some methods to measure the static aberration caused by the backplane of the LC-SLM are then presented. Last but not the least, the future development of the LC-SLM in phase modulation is also presented.

New-phase retention in colloidal core/shell nanocrystals via pressure-modulated phase engineering

Core/shell MnSe/MnS nanocrystals with the B31 phase are thermodynamically stable under high pressure and can survive under ambient conditions owing to the synergistic effect of subtle enthalpy differences and high surface energy in nanomaterials.

Remarkable smectic phase behaviour in odd-membered liquid crystal dimers: the CT6O.m series

A new series of liquid crystal dimers exhibits rich smectic behaviour, including a modulated phase made of tilted SmC layer fragments, the strong biaxiality of which results in an unusual switching mode on application of an electric field.