DNA Building Blocks: The Surprising Role of Ions

DNA nanostructures are usually built using heat and magnesium. But what if you could build them at room temperature with different ions? Scientists have shown that DNA structures can form at constant temperatures, from 4°C to 50°C, using various ions. This means you can create DNA shapes and even 3D crystals without heating them up. The type of ion and the temperature used can change how these structures form. Why does this matter? Well, different ions cause different movements in the DNA. For example, ions like sodium and potassium make the DNA wiggle more than magnesium and calcium. This could be useful for designing new DNA structures. Nickel is particularly interesting. It allows DNA motifs to form at temperatures below 40°C, something that's not possible with higher temperatures or traditional heating methods. These DNA structures made with different ions don't harm cells like fibroblasts, myoblasts, and myotubes. They also don't trigger an immune response in myoblasts. This is great news for biological and materials science. It means we can use ions other than magnesium to create DNA structures, opening up new possibilities for research and applications. For example, this could be useful in creating materials that require minimal magnesium. This is a big deal because magnesium is often used in biological experiments, and finding alternatives can be beneficial. So, what's next? More research is needed to fully understand how different ions affect DNA nanostructures. But this discovery could lead to new ways of building DNA structures for various applications. It's an exciting time for DNA nanotechnology!