New research came to the conclusion that DNA might have the ability to self-assemble even at a distance, which has been considered impossible, according to the previous research. There is still no explanation for this phenomenon.

Scientists report data stating that in contrast to current beliefs about what is possible and what is not, the double helix of DNA seems to have the incredible ability to distantly recognize similarities in other DNA strands. In some way, they can recognize each other, and the microscopic sections of genetic material tend to congregate with similar DNA.

The mechanism of identification of similar sequences in the chemical subunits of DNA yet cannot be interpreted by science, which has no explanation why DNA behaves in such a way, since the current theory finds it chemically impossible.

However, research published in the ACS Journal of Physical Chemistry B states that the identification between similar sequences of several hundred nucleotides occurs without the presence of proteins or any physical contact.

The double-stranded DNA seems to be able to distinguish similar molecules from a distance and then self-assemble. And all this seems to occur without the help of chemical signals or other molecules.

In their research, the scientists observed the behavior of DNA clones that had been labeled with fluorescence and placed in water containing no substance or material that could affect the experiment. Clones containing similar nucleotide sequences were approximately two times more likely to join together than clones with different sequences.

Science yet cannot answer the question of how the separate strands of DNA could be contacting each other in such a way, but it appears that they did. This looks like ‘telepathy’ and amazes scientists.

“Surprisingly, the mechanism responsible for the sequence identity can reach a distance of more than one nanometer, i.e. the distance that water molecules have from their nearest neighbor DNA,” said the researchers John M. Seddon, Sergey Leikin, Geoff S. Baldwin, and their colleagues.

This phenomenon may help to increase the accuracy of the homologous recombination of genes that is responsible for the repair of DNA, genetic variation, and evolution.


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This Post Has One Comment

  1. ED Smith

    NICE INFORMATION!

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