Series on 3D Genome Organization
Part I: 3D Genome Folding - you need it, but it’s not enough edited by Sarah Camilli Bowl of ramen The nucleus is kind of like a bowl of ramen. The noodles are the chromatin, the flakes are the transcription factors, the broth is the nuclear solution, and the bowl is the nuclear membrane. The broth is warm and salty, and contains all the minerals that the flakes and noodles need to stay bouncy, elastic, and have just the right amount of chewiness (chromatin structure is sensitive to temperature and ionic environment). You get that extra flavor and texture hit from those little flakes sticking to the noodles (gene activity).