Quad

Cambridge University researchers took the photograph above.  It is a quadruple helix that was found within a human cell.

If you’ve ever studied genetics in school or college, you’ll know that the structure of DNA is a double helix, and that DNA carries all of our genetic code. While traditionally we think of only double helix DNA, scientists from Cambridge report a quadruple helix is also present in some cells and is believed to relate to cancer in some ways.

Scientists have been able to produce quadruple helix material in test tubes for years, but the new research performed at the University is believed to be the first to firmly pinpoint quadruple helix in human cells.

The researchers were able to determine that most frequent occurrence of the quadruple helix DNA arose during the “S-phase” when a cell copies DNA prior to dividing.

According to the researchers, controlling these quadruple helix structures could provide new ways to fight cancer. The scientists believe the quadruple helix may form when the cell has a certain genotype or when it operates in a dysfunctional state. This G-quadruplex may be involved in the development of some cancers according to the researchers, and they believe that it could be possible to make synthetic molecules containing the structure and and use them to block the runaway cell proliferation that causes tumors.