DNA molecules carrying the same electrical charge normally repel each other. Yet scientists have found that matching DNA can overcome this force and form highly precise pairs with help from tiny metal ions.
The discovery adds to a growing understanding of how DNA’s physical structure helps control activity inside cells. The process could play a role in genetic recombination, gene silencing and cancer. The findings also provide direct evidence supporting a theory proposed about 20 years ago.
Researchers used atomic force microscopy to examine short DNA fragments at extremely small scales. They combined the images with computer simulations that tracked individual atoms and ions. The results showed that DNA molecules could align closely with one another. Positively charged metal ions played a key role in holding them together.
Metal ions create bridges between DNA
Researchers found that metal ions carrying two positive charges could interact with both DNA molecules at the same time. The ions settled between the negatively charged molecules and acted as tiny bridges. This allowed the DNA to overcome the electrical repulsion that would normally keep the molecules apart.
Scientists have discovered how DNA molecules overcome their natural electrical repulsion to pair together. Tiny metal ions act as molecular bridges, supporting a 20-year-old “DNA zipper” theory and offering new clues about cancer and biotechnology. pic.twitter.com/2KGmosrO9I
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) September 10, 2026
Dr. Thomas Catley of the University of Sheffield, a co-lead author of the study, said researchers were able to directly observe a mechanism that scientists had long proposed. “It was incredible to be able to directly visualise the long-hypothesised mechanism for the first time,” Catley said.
Dr. Victor Velasco-Berrelleza of the University of Sheffield carried out the simulations. He said microscopy revealed what was happening, while simulations helped explain the molecular process behind it.
Findings support decades-old DNA zipper model
The results support the “DNA zipper” model developed about two decades ago by Professor Alexey Kornyshev of Imperial College London and collaborators. The theory proposed that surrounding salt ions create patterns of electrical charge that help DNA molecules align. Their spiral structures can then fit together in an ordered way, similar to the teeth of a zipper.
Researchers also found that this pairing does not occur equally across all DNA sequences. Some sequences form much stronger connections, creating “hotspots” where two DNA helices are especially likely to align.
Professor Agnes Noy of the University of York, who co-led the research, said identifying these regions could help scientists understand how mutations disrupt normal cellular activity and contribute to cancer. Genetic changes are already an important area of cancer research, including efforts to detect cancer-related mutations through DNA in the blood.
The discovery could also have applications beyond medicine. Scientists may eventually use these sequence-specific interactions to design custom DNA structures for biotechnology. Advances in genome research are already helping scientists connect genetic information with human health and disease, while the latest findings suggest DNA itself could also serve as a building material at the molecular scale.
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