Is dna a molecule

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Is DNA a Molecule?

DNA Molecule Structure and Composition

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is indeed a molecule. It is a complex, heteropolymeric molecule composed of four types of nucleotide residues: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G) . These nucleotides form the building blocks of DNA, creating a long, linear chain that is typically double-stranded and helical in structure 12. The double-helix structure of DNA is stabilized by hydrogen bonds between complementary base pairs (A with T and C with G) .

DNA's Role in Genetic Information

DNA molecules are crucial for the storage, duplication, and expression of genetic information in all living organisms . The sequence of nucleotides in DNA encodes the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of organisms. Specific segments of DNA, known as genes, carry the information necessary for the synthesis of proteins, which perform a vast array of functions within the cell .

DNA in Biotechnology and Nanotechnology

Beyond its biological role, DNA's unique properties make it a valuable tool in biotechnology and nanotechnology. DNA molecules can be engineered to form complex structures and machines at the nanoscale. For instance, DNA can be used to create frameworks to which proteins or other functional molecules can be attached, forming intricate molecular complexes 34. These properties have been harnessed to build DNA-based nanostructures and molecular devices, which have applications in various scientific fields 45.

Mechanical Properties of DNA

The mechanical properties of DNA have been extensively studied using techniques such as optical tweezers and atomic force microscopy. These studies have provided insights into the stretching and twisting behaviors of DNA molecules, which are important for understanding biological processes like DNA replication and transcription 810. DNA exhibits significant structural transitions under force, revealing its elastic properties and the nature of its interactions with proteins 69.

Conclusion

In summary, DNA is a molecule with a complex structure and essential roles in genetic information storage and expression. Its unique properties extend its utility beyond biology into fields like biotechnology and nanotechnology, where it serves as a fundamental building block for creating advanced molecular structures and devices. The study of DNA's mechanical properties further enhances our understanding of its function and potential applications.

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Most relevant research papers on this topic

The Arrangement of Information in DNA Molecules

Bacteriophage DNA molecules are linear, duplex, and terminally redundant, with unique nucleotide sequences and circular permutations of each other.

Highly Cited

1966·

77citations

·Charles A. Thomas

The Journal of General Physiology

Biophysics of the DNA molecule

DNA plays a crucial role in all living organisms because it is the key molecule responsible for storage, duplication, and realization of genetic information. DNA is a heteropolymeric molecule consisting of residues (nucleotides) of four types, A, T, C and G. Fig. 1 shows the chemical structure of the DNA single strand and the complementary base pairs. The genetic message is “written down” in the form of continuous text consisting of four letters (DNA nucleotides A, G, T and C). This continuous text, however, is subdivided, in its biological meaning, into sections. The most significant sections are genes, parts of DNA, which carry information about the sequence of amino acids in proteins. The importance of the DNA molecule cannot be overestimated. It is therefore natural that the molecule has been attracting attention not only of biologists and physicians but also of chemists and physicists, even theorists (for a popular introduction into the field of DNA science, see, e.g., Frank-Kamenetskii, 1993; 1997). For more than forty years already, the DNA molecule has been a subject of biophysical studies. Many outstanding physicists, who made their names in various areas of traditional physics, mostly in solid state physics, contributed by studying DNA. I.M. Lifshitz did not publish many papers about DNA. Nevertheless, his role in directing attention of physicists toward DNA biophysics was very significant, especially in the USSR. Although I had been already in the field when Lifshitz stormed it in mid-1960s I also experienced profound influence of his personality and style. Due to his enthusiasm and indisputable reputation among Soviet physicists, DNA and protein biophysics temporarily became a focus of attention of the Soviet physics community. This community was a unique phenomenon in the world of science. Due to I.M. Lifshitz, I had an opportunity to present my work on DNA topology at the famous

Highly Cited

1997·

100citations

·M. Frank-Kamenetskii

Physics Reports

Synthesis from DNA of a molecule with the connectivity of a cube

This study successfully constructed a closed polyhedral object from DNA, enabling the assembly of novel biomaterials for analytical, industrial, and therapeutic purposes.

Highly Cited

1991·

1238citations

·Junghuei Chenet al.

Nature

Building machines with DNA molecules

DNA nanostructures show potential for creating machine-like structures that can be actuated and move, offering potential as scientific tools for biology, chemistry, and engineering challenges.

Highly Cited

2019·

186citations

·H. Ramézaniet al.

Nature Reviews Genetics

DNA molecule provides a computing machine with both data and fuel

A single DNA molecule can provide both input data and fuel for a molecular automaton, enabling efficient processing of input molecules of any length without external energy supply.

Highly Cited

2003·

247citations

·Y. Benensonet al.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

What do we know about DNA mechanics so far?

DNA undergoes significant structural transitions and mechanics under force in various environments, with potential applications in drug design, nanotechnology, and nanoelectronics.

2020·

26citations

·A. Aggarwalet al.

Current opinion in structural biology

How are small ions involved in the compaction of DNA molecules?

Small ions play a critical role in DNA compaction, affecting the folding transition and resulting single-chain morphologies.

2007·

30citations

·Takafumi Iwakiet al.

Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces

Ten years of tension: single-molecule DNA mechanics

Single-molecule DNA mechanics studies have revealed the nature of interactions between DNA and proteins, the constraints within which cellular machinery operates, and the forces created by DNA-dependent motors.

Highly Cited

2003·

1175citations

·C. Bustamanteet al.

Nature

DNA: An Extensible Molecule

DNA can stretch to 1.7 times its contour length, revealing a cooperative transition to a state called S-DNA, which may shed light on biological processes involving DNA extension.

Highly Cited

1996·

885citations

·P. Cluzelet al.

Science

Single-molecule studies of DNA mechanics.

DNA's stretching and twisting properties can now be used to study biological processes like DNA replication and transcription.

Highly Cited

2000·

768citations

·Carlos Bustamanteet al.

Current opinion in structural biology

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