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Related Concept Videos

The DNA Helix01:07

The DNA Helix

Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is the genetic material responsible for passing traits from generation to generation in all organisms and most viruses. DNA is composed of two strands of nucleotides that wind around each other to form a spring-like structure called a double helix. However, the double helix is not perfectly symmetrical. Instead, there are regularly occurring grooves in the structure. The major groove occurs where the sugar-phosphate backbones are relatively far apart. This space...
The DNA Helix01:16

The DNA Helix

Overview
The DNA Helix01:16

The DNA Helix

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Nucleic Acid Structure01:25

Nucleic Acid Structure

The pentose sugar in DNA is deoxyribose, while in RNA the pentose sugar is ribose. The difference between the sugars is the presence of the hydroxyl group on the ribose's second carbon and a hydrogen on the deoxyribose's second carbon. The phosphate residue attaches to the hydroxyl group of the 5′ carbon of one sugar and the hydroxyl group of the 3′ carbon of the sugar of the next nucleotide, which forms  a 5′ to 3′ phosphodiester linkage.
DNA Structure
DNA has a double-helix structure. The...
Genomic DNA in Eukaryotes00:58

Genomic DNA in Eukaryotes

Eukaryotes have large genomes compared to prokaryotes. To fit their genomes into a cell, eukaryotic DNA is packaged extraordinarily tightly inside the nucleus. To achieve this, DNA is tightly wound around proteins called histones, which are packaged into nucleosomes that are joined by linker DNA and coil into chromatin fibers. Additional fibrous proteins further compact the chromatin, which is recognizable as chromosomes during certain phases of cell division.
Nucleic acids02:43

Nucleic acids

Nucleic acids are the most important macromolecules for the continuity of life. They carry the cell's genetic blueprint and carry instructions for its functioning.
DNA and RNA
The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the genetic material in all living organisms, ranging from single-celled bacteria to multicellular mammals. It is in the nucleus of eukaryotes and in the organelles, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. In prokaryotes, the...

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Updated: Jun 24, 2026

DNA Nanotubes as a Versatile Tool to Study Semiflexible Polymers
08:00

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Published on: October 25, 2017

Fibers and Double-Layered Tubes Formed From a Single Self-Complementary DNA Oligonucleotide.

So Shirai1, Tetsunao Makino1, Takashi Kajitani2

  • 1Department of Engineering Science, Graduate School of Informatics and Engineering, The University of Electro-Communications, Chofu, Tokyo, Japan.

Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|June 23, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Short DNA self-assembles into fibers or tubes based on poly(ethylene glycol) concentration. This DNA self-assembly behavior offers new possibilities for designing advanced DNA-based materials.

Keywords:
DNADNA nanotechnologyliquid crystalsself‐assembly

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Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Nanotechnology
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • DNA nanotechnology enables the creation of complex structures.
  • Controlling DNA self-assembly is key to developing novel materials.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the self-assembly of short DNA oligonucleotides into liquid-crystalline architectures.
  • To determine how solution conditions influence DNA morphology.

Main Methods:

  • Thermal annealing of DNA oligonucleotides in solutions with varying poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) concentrations.
  • Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to analyze the structures formed.

Main Results:

  • DNA self-assembled into either long fibers or double-layered molecular tubes.
  • Morphology was controlled by poly(ethylene glycol) concentration, which tuned depletion forces.
  • Lower PEG concentrations favored fiber formation (hexagonal packing), while higher concentrations favored tube formation.

Conclusions:

  • A single short DNA oligonucleotide can form distinct liquid-crystalline structures.
  • Molecular crowding conditions (PEG concentration) are critical for controlling DNA self-assembly pathways.
  • This work opens new avenues for DNA-based materials design through hierarchical self-assembly.