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Temperature-dependent bistable electrical switching in hydrated barley genomic DNA
1University of Silesia in Katowice, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Katowice, Poland.
Bio Systems
|March 26, 2026
Summary
Hydrated genomic DNA shows temperature-driven electrical switching between two states. This collective behavior is robust under physiological conditions, suggesting potential for temperature-tuned DNA electronics.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Genomics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Hydrated genomic DNA exhibits complex collective behavior.
- Proton-rich hydrogen-bond networks mediate DNA's electrical properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate temperature-dependent bistable switching in hydrated barley genomic DNA.
- Analyze electrical dynamics under weak electrical bias and moderate magnetic field.
Main Methods:
- Prepared hydrated DNA in a DNA-saline environment (1:1 ratio, 0.9% NaCl).
- Applied weak electrical bias and 0.5T magnetic field.
- Normalized transverse response by longitudinal current to remove drive drift.
- Cooled the sample at a fixed magnetic field, monitoring electrical switching.
Main Results:
- Observed telegraph-like switching between two macroscopic states during cooling.
- Switching rate and dwell-time statistics varied significantly with temperature.
- Characteristic changes in switching occurred near 18°C and 14°C–15°C.
- Bistable collective electrical dynamics persisted under physiologically relevant ionic conditions.
Conclusions:
- Hydrated genomic DNA demonstrates robust, temperature-tuned electrical behavior.
- Bistable switching indicates collective dynamics are maintained under ambient conditions.
- Findings suggest potential for DNA-based electronic devices sensitive to temperature variations.
