Figure 8.

SDFs of DNA in multivalent ion-induced NCP aggregates. In the Mg-20NCP (left) and Co-20NCP (right) systems, NCP–NCP stacking is revealed by the densities above and below the central NCP. In the Mg-20NCP system, the “arcs” above and beneath the central NCP indicate a population of perpendicular NCP–NCP orientations. In the Co-20NCP system, the densities of the NCP lateral side opposite reflect contacts between DNA on the lateral surface of the wedge-shaped NCP cylinder. The absence of the SDF density at the DNA entry–exit location of the NCP indicates that most particles orient this part toward the condensate surface. See the Supporting Information for 3D animations.