Figure 6.

State diagram of DNA molecules in a microdroplet. Three states are assumed: F₁, a free coil conformation in the aqueous solution phase; F₂, a quasi-two-dimensional coil conformation adsorbed onto the surface of the phospholipid membrane; and F₃, a compactly folded conformation in the aqueous solution phase. On line 1, where ɛ_a/kT ≃ ɛ_f/kT + 1/N ln(R/λ), the free energy of the F₂ state is equal to that of the F₃ state. On line 2, where ɛ_a/kT ≃ 1/N ln(R/λ), the free energy of the F₁ state is equal to that of the F₂ state. On line 3, where ɛ_f/kT ≃ 0, the free energy of the F₁ state is equal to that of the F₃ state.