Overview
- A peer-reviewed study published on 25 August 2026 combined high-resolution atomic force microscopy with detailed computer simulations to capture two DNA double helices aligning groove-for-groove.
- Simulations show positively charged divalent metal ions, including magnesium, calcium and nickel, sit in DNA grooves and act as tiny bridges that stabilize contacts between separate helices.
- The researchers confirmed a two-decade-old 'DNA zipper' theory by showing how alternating ion patterns permit helices to overcome electrostatic repulsion and lock together.
- Pairing strength varies by sequence, producing distinct hotspots where two helices preferentially align, which could help researchers pinpoint genome regions involved in recognition and recombination.
- Authors say the mechanism may matter for understanding mutation-linked disruptions in cellular processes and could be harnessed to program custom DNA structures, but its role inside living cells still needs experimental follow-up.