Scientists Create DNA Structures Without Hydrogen Bonds

NYU chemists find DNA tiles can self-assemble into complex 3D structures using shape alone, challenging a fundamental paradigm in DNA nanotechnology.

Published on Mar. 3, 2026

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A new study by NYU chemists has found that DNA tiles can assemble into 3D structures without the need for the "sticky" hydrogen bonding that has been a core principle of DNA nanotechnology. The researchers discovered that by leveraging the geometry and flat interfaces of DNA subunits, they could generate an impressive library of novel 3D DNA structures through self-assembly, including structures that combined both right-handed and left-handed "mirror" DNA.

Why it matters

This finding challenges a foundational tenet of DNA nanotechnology established by the late NYU professor Ned Seeman, who pioneered the field. It demonstrates that DNA can self-assemble into highly complex structures using shape alone, without the need for the "sticky ends" that have been a key component of previous DNA-based materials. This opens up new possibilities for creating advanced DNA-based optical, electronic, and biomedical technologies.

The details

The researchers built upon Seeman's work by creating DNA tiles without the "sticky ends" that normally allow DNA strands to attach to each other through hydrogen bonding. Instead, they leveraged the geometry and flat interfaces of the DNA subunits, allowing the tiles to self-assemble like a jigsaw puzzle. This resulted in a wide variety of novel 3D DNA structures marked by new twists, inversions, and rotations. The team also demonstrated the ability to control the assembly of right-handed and left-handed "mirror" DNA, prompting them to communicate and coexist within the same 3D structures.

  • The study was published in the journal Nature Communications on March 3, 2026.

The players

Simon Vecchioni

A research scientist in the Department of Chemistry at NYU and a co-author of the study.

Ruojie Sha

A senior research scientist in the Department of Chemistry at NYU and a co-author of the study.

Ned Seeman

The late NYU Chemistry Professor who founded the field of DNA nanotechnology and discovered that DNA could self-assemble into 3D shapes using "sticky ends".

NYU DNA Lab

The research group at NYU's Department of Chemistry that conducted the study.

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What they’re saying

“We found that changing the shape of the interface between DNA strands yields different assembly outcomes—a demonstration of complex matter obtained by simple design.”

— Simon Vecchioni, Research Scientist, NYU Department of Chemistry (Mirage News)

“With a jigsaw puzzle, you don't need to glue the pieces. You just need the shapes to fit together. And it turns out that the triangle shape that is central to this work is extremely happy to self-assemble without sticky ends.”

— Simon Vecchioni, Research Scientist, NYU Department of Chemistry (Mirage News)

“We vastly increased the complexity of the material that we're making. We've put in tiles of a certain geometry and interface, and we let nature figure out the best outcome. In this way, we're learning from a natural form of computing.”

— Ruojie Sha, Senior Research Scientist, NYU Department of Chemistry (Mirage News)

What’s next

The findings from this study lay the groundwork for future DNA-based materials that could revolutionize optical, electronic, and biomedical technologies. The researchers plan to continue exploring the potential applications of their DNA self-assembly techniques, including the development of biosensors and drug delivery systems.

The takeaway

This study upends a fundamental principle of DNA nanotechnology by demonstrating that complex 3D DNA structures can be created through self-assembly using shape alone, without the need for the "sticky ends" that have been a core component of the field. This breakthrough opens up new avenues for designing advanced DNA-based materials and technologies.