DNA
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the principal hereditary molecule in cellular organisms and many viruses.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the principal hereditary molecule in cellular organisms and many viruses. It is a polymer of nucleotide units containing deoxyribose, phosphate, and one of four bases—adenine, thymine, cytosine, or guanine. Complementary base pairing between adenine–thymine and cytosine–guanine enables DNA to form a double-stranded helix and provides a mechanism for accurate replication. DNA sequences encode biological information used in the production and regulation of proteins and functional RNAs, while changes in DNA sequence or structure can influence cell behavior, disease susceptibility, and treatment response.
DNA is also an important biomedical target and experimental material. Its replication, topology, packaging, repair, and transcription can be altered by small molecules, proteins, and engineered nucleic-acid systems. Topoisomerase inhibitors, DNA-alkylating agents, and DNA-interacting compounds can produce strand stress, conformational changes, or DNA damage that contributes to apoptosis, cell-cycle arrest, and loss of cell viability. Conversely, cytosolic DNA can function as an innate immune signal through the cGAS–STING pathway. DNA sequence-specificity is additionally used in aptamer design, RNA:DNA hybrid detection, synthetic condensates, particle assembly, and high-throughput DNA engineering.
In research contexts, DNA is examined using methods including fluorescence, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, circular dichroism, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), mass spectrometry, and transmission electron microscopy. It is studied alongside RNA, microRNA, protein, extracellular vesicles, and biomarkers such as CD63 molecule and CD274 molecule. These applications span breast cancer and other malignancies, infectious disease, nucleic-acid quality control, and the design of programmable materials. Analytical performance may be assessed through sensitivity and detection limit, whereas therapeutic studies commonly evaluate cytotoxicity, IC50, reactive oxygen species, apoptosis, and cell-cycle arrest.
Where the papers sit
24 papers from the last 6 months study DNA directly · updated from PubMed 1 Nov 2026
Study type 1 clinical trial · 1 observational · 5 human data · 16 preclinical · 1 unclassified
Themes 4 themes · 1 paradigm shift · 1 new direction
-
Translational Molecular Medicine
Liquid biopsy and molecular profiling are being paired with immunotherapy selection, cancer imaging and targeted delivery rather than treated as stand-alone tests. ctDNA tumor fraction, DNA methylation, extracellular-vesicle DNA and metabolomic signatures recur as biomarkers, while macrophage reprogramming, COX-2 inhibition and B7-H3 targeting represent therapeutic strategies. Evidence spans advanced NSCLC, melanoma, TNBC, thyroid cancer and SLE, with nanomaterial design also present. The cluster has no single disease or direction.
8 papers · 33.3%
-
DNA Regulation and Cell Growth
DNA-targeting compounds and regulatory interventions are being used to connect DNA topology, transcription or methylation with abnormal cell growth and metabolic phenotypes. Topoisomerase I and II inhibitors, harmaline and selenium–matrine hybrids are evaluated for cytotoxicity, apoptosis or antiparasitic activity, while DNMT regulation and CRISPR activation of rRNA transcription address fatty liver and stem-cell self-renewal. Diet-linked DNA errors in colonic stem cells extend the focus to tissue risk. DNA-based condensates and liposomes add a delivery dimension, but no single therapeutic direction dominates.
7 papers · 29.2%
-
DNA Engineering and Genome Integrity
Synthetic DNA assembly, self-assembling DNA coatings and DNA molecular robots sit alongside studies of contamination, heat-related genomic instability and bat genome adaptation. Recurring concerns are how DNA is designed, delivered, measured and damaged, with molecular profiling and DNA-repair or oxidative-stress readouts appearing in the biological work. Applications range from manufacturing to cancer therapy and occupational health. No single technical or clinical direction unifies the cluster.
6 papers · 25%
-
CRISPR-Cas12a Diagnostics
CRISPR-Cas12a assays are moving toward rapid, amplification-free or single-tube detection with portable electrochemical readouts. The studies target species discrimination, toxigenic Clostridioides difficile and an LGR4 A750T mutation. Sensitivity, specificity and low detection limits are recurring endpoints, with split crRNA used to improve point-mutation recognition. Clinical and field validation beyond these proof-of-concept assays remains open.
3 papers · 12.5%
DNA-directed assembly is governed by sequence-dependent physical properties, not by sequence programmability alone
The polyelectrolyte complex micelles studied in the DNA sequence-and-structure paper and the DNA-coated colloidal particles studied in the multispecific-coatings paper both show that DNA cannot be treated as an interchangeable programmable polyanion. In micelles, sequence-dependent stiffness and hybridization structure drive transitions in particle morphology, while in colloidal assemblies, coating composition and the reversibility of DNA interactions constrain co-assembly even when sequences are precisely controlled (PMIDs 42734282, 42530495). The result is a shift from treating DNA sequence mainly as an address code to treating its mechanical properties, structure, and interaction kinetics as design variables that determine whether assembly occurs and what form it takes.
DNA can function as a mechanically actuated, drug-free therapeutic robot
The DNA molecular robot developed for osteosarcoma therapy uses a DNA-polypeptide chimera with integrin-binding peptides and stimulus-responsive DNA switches to convert acidic tumor conditions and near-infrared irradiation into piconewton-scale forces that regulate microtubules. Rather than serving only as genetic cargo, a recognition element, or a structural assembly material, DNA in this system acts as an active mechanical transducer that disrupts tumor-cell mitosis while promoting bone regeneration 42734289Sep.
Papers
The 24 papers from the last 6 months that study DNA directly, newest first, by theme and by study type. Study types come from PubMed publication types and MeSH headings.
By theme
Translational Molecular Medicine (8)
- Impact of DNA Sequence and Structure on Polyelectrolyte Complex Micelle Morphology. Biomacromolecules · 14 Sept 2026 PMID 42734282
- Integrated metabolomics and DNA methylation signatures and their association with flare remission in SLE. Lupus science & medicine · 12 Sept 2026 PMID 42731887
- Beyond traditional biopsy: integrating liquid biopsy, molecular panels, and advanced imaging techniques in thyroid cancer management. Endokrynologia Polska · 11 Sept 2026 PMID 42725427
- Unlocking extracellular vesicle-mediated efficient DNA delivery for long-lasting transgene expression. Molecular therapy : the journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy · 12 Aug 2026 PMID 42581545
- Vobramitamab duocarmazine, an anti-B7-H3 antibody-drug conjugate, in patients with advanced solid tumors: Final results of a phase 1 cohort expansion. Cancer · 23 Jul 2026 PMID 42487497
- Cooperative IFN-γ and TLR9 signaling reprogram tumor-associated macrophages to enhance antitumor immunity in melanoma. Biochemical and biophysical research communications · 22 Jul 2026 PMID 42485794
- Role of ctDNA Tumor Fraction in Selecting Immunotherapy-Based Regimens in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research · 13 Jul 2026 PMID 42440365
- A natural COX-2 inhibitor-integrated nanoplatform for TNBC immunotherapy: Mn-PC-PTX synergizes chemotherapy and immune activation. Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces · 8 May 2026 PMID 42102776
DNA Regulation and Cell Growth (7)
- Westernized diet related arachidonic acid metabolism expands DNA error-prone growth factor-dependent colonic quiescent stem cells in adolescent mice. Cell death & disease · 14 Sept 2026 PMID 42736265
- The potential of harmaline on triple negative breast cancer: harmaline-DNA interaction related apoptosis, anti-metastasis, and in silico analysis. Histochemistry and cell biology · 25 Aug 2026 PMID 42640499
- Antiparasitic effects of topoisomerase II inhibitors on Giardia intestinalis trophozoites. Acta tropica · 24 Jul 2026 PMID 42498008
- Organization and Triggered Release of Liposomes with DNA-Based Synthetic Condensates. ACS nano · 10 Jul 2026 PMID 42429747
- Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel selenium-matrine hybrid compounds as topo I -targeted anticancer agents. Bioorganic chemistry · 4 Jul 2026 PMID 42401165
- Manipulation of protein translation and stem cell self-renewal by CRISPR activation of rRNA transcription. Science (New York, N.Y.) · 2 Jul 2026 PMID 42391322
- Mechanism of Jianpi Qinghua granule in ameliorating metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease by targeting the DNMT-urea cycle axis. Journal of ethnopharmacology · 10 May 2026 PMID 42107753
DNA Engineering and Genome Integrity (6)
- Heat-induced genomic instability in the workplace: integrated assessment of oxidative stress burden and expression of DNA repair genes. International archives of occupational and environmental health · 10 Oct 2026 PMID 42859242
- DNA Molecular Robot for Osteosarcoma Therapy and Bone Regeneration. Biomacromolecules · 14 Sept 2026 PMID 42734289
- Insights into longevity and virus-driven adaptation from Myotis bat genomes. Nature · 26 Aug 2026 PMID 42649300
- Systematic methodological flaws in DNA contamination assessment of mRNA vaccines: A critical analysis of Achs et al. (2025). Oncotarget · 14 Aug 2026 PMID 42599093
- Multispecific DNA coatings for self-assembly. Soft matter · 30 Jul 2026 PMID 42530495
- High-throughput DNA engineering by mating bacteria. Cell systems · 1 Jul 2026 PMID 42385708
CRISPR-Cas12a Diagnostics (3)
- A rapid and straightforward detection of the novel obesity gene LGR4 A750T point mutation by the single-tube Cas12a system with split crRNA. Journal of materials chemistry. B · 1 Sept 2026 PMID 42677820
- An amplification-free CRISPR/Cas12a-nanopipette electrochemical sensor for in situ discrimination of Salmo salar and Oncorhynchus mykiss. Analytica chimica acta · 4 Jun 2026 PMID 42242806
- An ultrasensitive CRISPR/Cas12a based electrochemical biosensor for detection of toxigenic Clostridioides difficile. Biosensors & bioelectronics · 13 May 2026 PMID 42127676
By study type
Clinical trials (1)
- Vobramitamab duocarmazine, an anti-B7-H3 antibody-drug conjugate, in patients with advanced solid tumors: Final results of a phase 1 cohort expansion. Cancer · 23 Jul 2026 PMID 42487497
Observational studies and case reports (1)
- Heat-induced genomic instability in the workplace: integrated assessment of oxidative stress burden and expression of DNA repair genes. International archives of occupational and environmental health · 10 Oct 2026 PMID 42859242
Human data, design not indexed (5)
- Integrated metabolomics and DNA methylation signatures and their association with flare remission in SLE. Lupus science & medicine · 12 Sept 2026 PMID 42731887
- A rapid and straightforward detection of the novel obesity gene LGR4 A750T point mutation by the single-tube Cas12a system with split crRNA. Journal of materials chemistry. B · 1 Sept 2026 PMID 42677820
- Systematic methodological flaws in DNA contamination assessment of mRNA vaccines: A critical analysis of Achs et al. (2025). Oncotarget · 14 Aug 2026 PMID 42599093
- Role of ctDNA Tumor Fraction in Selecting Immunotherapy-Based Regimens in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research · 13 Jul 2026 PMID 42440365
- An ultrasensitive CRISPR/Cas12a based electrochemical biosensor for detection of toxigenic Clostridioides difficile. Biosensors & bioelectronics · 13 May 2026 PMID 42127676
Preclinical: animal, cell and lab studies (16)
- Westernized diet related arachidonic acid metabolism expands DNA error-prone growth factor-dependent colonic quiescent stem cells in adolescent mice. Cell death & disease · 14 Sept 2026 PMID 42736265
- DNA Molecular Robot for Osteosarcoma Therapy and Bone Regeneration. Biomacromolecules · 14 Sept 2026 PMID 42734289
- Impact of DNA Sequence and Structure on Polyelectrolyte Complex Micelle Morphology. Biomacromolecules · 14 Sept 2026 PMID 42734282
- Insights into longevity and virus-driven adaptation from Myotis bat genomes. Nature · 26 Aug 2026 PMID 42649300
- The potential of harmaline on triple negative breast cancer: harmaline-DNA interaction related apoptosis, anti-metastasis, and in silico analysis. Histochemistry and cell biology · 25 Aug 2026 PMID 42640499
- Unlocking extracellular vesicle-mediated efficient DNA delivery for long-lasting transgene expression. Molecular therapy : the journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy · 12 Aug 2026 PMID 42581545
- Multispecific DNA coatings for self-assembly. Soft matter · 30 Jul 2026 PMID 42530495
- Antiparasitic effects of topoisomerase II inhibitors on Giardia intestinalis trophozoites. Acta tropica · 24 Jul 2026 PMID 42498008
- Cooperative IFN-γ and TLR9 signaling reprogram tumor-associated macrophages to enhance antitumor immunity in melanoma. Biochemical and biophysical research communications · 22 Jul 2026 PMID 42485794
- Organization and Triggered Release of Liposomes with DNA-Based Synthetic Condensates. ACS nano · 10 Jul 2026 PMID 42429747
- Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel selenium-matrine hybrid compounds as topo I -targeted anticancer agents. Bioorganic chemistry · 4 Jul 2026 PMID 42401165
- Manipulation of protein translation and stem cell self-renewal by CRISPR activation of rRNA transcription. Science (New York, N.Y.) · 2 Jul 2026 PMID 42391322
- High-throughput DNA engineering by mating bacteria. Cell systems · 1 Jul 2026 PMID 42385708
- An amplification-free CRISPR/Cas12a-nanopipette electrochemical sensor for in situ discrimination of Salmo salar and Oncorhynchus mykiss. Analytica chimica acta · 4 Jun 2026 PMID 42242806
- Mechanism of Jianpi Qinghua granule in ameliorating metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease by targeting the DNMT-urea cycle axis. Journal of ethnopharmacology · 10 May 2026 PMID 42107753
- A natural COX-2 inhibitor-integrated nanoplatform for TNBC immunotherapy: Mn-PC-PTX synergizes chemotherapy and immune activation. Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces · 8 May 2026 PMID 42102776
Unclassified: not yet indexed with MeSH (1)
- Beyond traditional biopsy: integrating liquid biopsy, molecular panels, and advanced imaging techniques in thyroid cancer management. Endokrynologia Polska · 11 Sept 2026 PMID 42725427
Written from 24 PubMed abstracts, each one listed by PMID above. Published: 2026-09-02. Last written: 2026-09-16 by GPT. Drafted by language models from published abstracts; not medical advice.