Non-thermal acceleration of DNA base pairing by sub-terahertz irradiation

The Journal of Chemical Physics · 2026 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 6648

Sub-terahertz (0.1 THz) continuous-wave irradiation non-thermally accelerates DNA base pairing in aqueous solutions, selectively enhancing G:C base pairing and increasing base-paired DNA molecules, unlike conductive heating which suppresses these effects.

Study snapshot

PublicationThe Journal of Chemical Physics · 2026

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

We report a non-thermal mechanism by which sub-terahertz (sub-THz) radiation accelerates DNA base pairing in aqueous environments. By using a randomized 40-mer DNA pool as a model system, we investigated the effects of 0.1 THz continuous-wave irradiation on rehydration-coupled structural reorganization. UV absorption spectroscopy revealed a selective enhancement of the G:C base pairing-associated spectral component under this irradiation, in contrast to conductive heating, which suppressed this component. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy using a base-pair-sensitive dye further demonstrated that 0.1 THz irradiation increased the population of base-paired DNA molecules, while heating induced the opposite effect. These findings indicate that sub-THz waves promote nucleobase-specific hydrogen bonding, potentially by altering non-specific base-stacking interactions, in a manner inconsistent with thermal activation. This study provides mechanistic insight into the physical basis of sub-THz radiation-mediated modulation of nucleic acid structure and dynamics, with implications for the noninvasive manipulation of biomolecular processes. Effect harmful

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typein_vitro

Effect directionharm

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposuresub-terahertz · 100000 MHz

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 30% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

DNA base pairing acceleration
selective enhancement of G:C base pairing spectral component
increased population of base-paired DNA molecules

Limitations

Study conducted in vitro, limiting direct extrapolation to in vivo or human exposure scenarios
No information on exposure duration or dose-response relationship
Mechanistic insights are preliminary and require further validation

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "sub-terahertz",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 100000,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "DNA base pairing acceleration",
    "selective enhancement of G:C base pairing spectral component",
    "increased population of base-paired DNA molecules"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Sub-terahertz (0.1 THz) continuous-wave irradiation non-thermally accelerates DNA base pairing in aqueous solutions, selectively enhancing G:C base pairing and increasing base-paired DNA molecules, unlike conductive heating which suppresses these effects.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Study conducted in vitro, limiting direct extrapolation to in vivo or human exposure scenarios",
    "No information on exposure duration or dose-response relationship",
    "Mechanistic insights are preliminary and require further validation"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.3,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "sub-terahertz radiation",
    "DNA base pairing",
    "non-thermal effects",
    "nucleic acid structure",
    "biomolecular processes"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1063/5.0298033
PubMed: Not supplied

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