Yun Jeong Cha, featured ILCS liquid crystal artist, September 2016

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Yun Jeong Cha obtained her B.S in department of environmental engineering at University of Seoul (2012). When she was in undergraduate, she took part in summer research program at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in 2011. In the program, she was fascinated by the beautiful images of Liquid crystals. Hence, she joined Prof. Dong Ki Yoon's group in 2012 and has been doing a research on the Liquid crystalline assembly of biomaterials such as DNA, chitin, and biocompatible food-dye, sunset yellow.
Email: yjc0925(at)kaist.ac.kr
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The image shows concentric alignment of single stranded-DNA (ssDNA) by drying a droplet at 25ºC. When water is evaporated, the ssDNA is concentrated and align along the contact line of the droplet by the ‘coffee ring effect’. Thus, the ssDNAs are deposited on a glass substrate with concentric configuration, resulting in a beautiful texture. The image was observed with a 2x objective by polarized optical microscopy (POM) (Nikon LV100POL) using a first order retardation plate (λ = 530 nm).


Jury comment: Single strained (ss)-DNA molecules dried by "coffee ring effect" make a beautiful texture, showing similar colors found in stained glass windows in the cathedral.