Look deeper into DNA, examine how building blocks stack together!
DNA, the genetic blueprint for all living cells, is made up of four nucleotide bases: Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Thymine (T), and Cytosine (C). These bases form pairs, with A pairing with T and G with C, creating the double-stranded structure of DNA. The stability of this double helix is maintained through two types of interactions: base-pairing and base-stacking. According to Mahipal Ganji, an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biochemistry, IISc, base-stacking interactions, which are generally stronger than base-pairing, can be compared to the teeth of a zipper, ensuring a secure connection. To study the 16 possible base-stacking combinations, researchers used a novel imaging technique called DNA-PAINT (Point Accumulation in Nanoscale Topography). This method involves the random binding and unbinding of two artificially designed DNA strands in a buffer solution at room temperature. Each strand ends with a different base and is tagged with a fluorophore that emits light...