DNA Twisting, Not Knots, Explained in Nanopore Research

Cambridge study reveals plectonemes, not knots, cause complex electrical signals in DNA analysis.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Groundbreaking research from the University of Cambridge has revealed that the complex electrical signals observed during DNA analysis through nanopores are often caused by twisted coils called plectonemes, rather than the previously assumed DNA knots. This discovery could lead to significant advancements in genomics, biosensing, and our understanding of DNA behavior.

Why it matters

For decades, scientists believed that knots in the DNA strand were responsible for the complex electrical signals generated during nanopore analysis. This new finding not only corrects past assumptions but also opens up exciting possibilities for more accurate DNA damage detection, improved genomic analysis, and a deeper understanding of DNA organization and integrity within living cells.

The details

The study, published in Physical Review X, demonstrates that the twisting of DNA, driven by the flow of ions within the nanopore, creates plectonemes - structures resembling a twisted phone cord. These plectonemes, unlike knots, have a distinct and longer-lasting electrical signature. The research pinpointed electroosmotic flow, the movement of water driven by electric fields, as the key mechanism behind this twisting behavior. Interrupting the DNA strand was found to prevent the spread of this twist, confirming its crucial role in plectoneme formation.

  • The study was published on February 9, 2026.

The players

University of Cambridge

The institution where the groundbreaking research on DNA twisting and plectonemes was conducted.

Dr. Fei Zheng

A researcher from the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge who explains the findings of the study.

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What they’re saying

“Our experiments showed that as DNA is pulled through the nanopore, the ionic flow inside twists the strand, accumulating torque and winding it into plectonemes, not just knots.”

— Dr. Fei Zheng, Researcher, Cavendish Laboratory (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

The identification of plectonemes as a key factor in nanopore sensing is likely to spur several key developments in the coming years, including the use of AI-powered signal analysis to reliably distinguish between signals caused by knots, plectonemes, and other DNA structures, and the development of portable, nanopore-based diagnostic devices capable of rapidly detecting genetic mutations, infectious diseases, and even early-stage cancer.

The takeaway

This discovery not only corrects past assumptions about the causes of complex electrical signals in nanopore DNA analysis but also opens up exciting possibilities for advancements in genomics, biosensing, and our understanding of DNA behavior within living cells, with potential implications for the development of new diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches.