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RNA molecules aggregate under certain conditions. The resulting condensates are implicated in human neurological disorders, and can potentially be designed towards specified bulk properties in vitro. However, the mechanism for aggregation—including how aggregation properties change with sequence and environmental conditions—remains poorly understood. To address this challenge, we introduce an analytical framework based on multimer enumeration. Our approach reveals the driving force for aggregation to be the increased configurational entropy associated with the multiplicity of ways to form bonds in the aggregate. Our model uncovers rich phase behavior, including a sequence-dependent reentrant phase transition, and repeat parity-dependent aggregation. We validate our results by comparison to a complete computational enumeration of the landscape, and to previously published molecular dynamics simulations. Our work unifies and extends published results, both explaining the behavior of CAG-repeat RNA aggregates implicated in Huntington’s disease, and enabling the rational design of programmable RNA condensates.

This study investigates the role of the circle dance in decreasing depressed affect amongst a group of 45 patients with severe mental health illnesses and highlights the most significant aspect of that dance. Patients participated in one of four conditions: a group performing a regular traditional upbeat Irish circle dance holding hands and with a jump step [jump+hands]; a group performing the same dance holding hands with no jump step [hands]; a group performing the same dance without holding hands and with the jump step [jump]; and a control group performing a concentration test [control]. All three experimental groups reported a decrease in depressed affect in contrast to the control group, which reported none. Therefore, while the long-term benefits of regular circle dancing are yet to be researched, this set of results supports the existing literature in finding a definite temporary improvement. In terms of the most significant aspect, results suggest that the patients doing the dance holding hands with no jump step [hands] benefited most from the intervention: a more significant decrease in depressive affect (and an increase in vitality) was found amongst this group compared with the other two experimental groups. Integral to the heritage of cultures throughout the world, circle dancing has always been considered an uplifting, celebratory and inclusive activity. Perhaps from these traditional roots will spring some new ideas in response to the growing problem of depression. Certainly, the findings of this study point towards a wider appropriation of traditional circle dancing in DMT practice.