Scientists at the University of Vienna have made a significant breakthrough in DNA technology, expanding the color spectrum available for DNA-based images. Traditionally, DNA was limited to a palette of 256 colors, but this latest advancement allows for the generation of 16 million colors.
This breakthrough has the potential for various applications in scientific disciplines such as genomics and nanotechnology. Researchers can now create intricate images on a compact 2D surface, replicating digital images with a 24-bit color depth.
The key to this innovation lies in the properties of DNA’s double helix structure. By manipulating the amount and location of DNA sequences, scientists can control the stability of the DNA duplex. When combined with fluorescent markers, the duplex becomes visible with the intensity of fluorescence correlating to stability.
In this study, the researchers focused on DNA hybridization, where complementary DNA sequences recognize and assemble as duplexes. By modulating the duplex’s stability, they were able to create a wide range of colors. Different short DNA strands linked to fluorescent markers emitting red, green, or blue light were hybridized to a longer complementary DNA strand on the surface, resulting in varying shades of color.
The precision in color control was achieved by strategically removing bases from the DNA strand at specific positions, altering the stability of the duplex. This adjustment allowed for 256 shades for each color channel, and by mixing and matching these shades, an unprecedented 16 million combinations were achieved. The synthesis of over 45,000 unique DNA sequences was necessary to achieve this level of precision.
The researchers used a parallel DNA synthesis method called maskless array synthesis (MAS), which allowed for the simultaneous synthesis of a large array of unique DNA sequences on a small surface. With the help of specialized computer scripts, the team automated the process, transforming digital images into DNA replicas with remarkable color fidelity. Higher resolutions, including 1080p and potentially 4K, are within reach.
Beyond imaging, the researchers believe that a DNA color code could have useful applications in data storage on DNA. The team’s findings were published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
This breakthrough in DNA technology opens up new possibilities for visual representation and has the potential to revolutionize various scientific fields.
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