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July 10, 2025

Cover selected for Nucleic Acids Research

Image created by Ethan Tyler uses the Greek myth of Sisyphus to depict the continuous and dynamic interplay between CTCF and chromatin. In the image, CTCF is shown as Sisyphus, endlessly pushing a nucleosome – the basic unit of chromatin – up a hill. Due to CTCF’s efforts, the nucleosome “slides” along the genomic coordinate by unwrapping DNA on one end and wrapping in the same amount on the other end; but when CTCF is released from chromatin, a nucleosome takes its place. To bind again, CTCF must push the nucleosome out of the way. The image captures CTCF’s constant struggle to organize the 3D genome architecture as it competes with other nucleosome-positioning forces. Artwork was created with Autodesk 3ds Max, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, and Procreate.