Scientists from the Gladstone Institutes and Arc Institute used artificial intelligence to discover that DNA is often stored in partially open states, rather than being fully closed or fully accessible as previously believed.
DNA is wrapped around protein structures called nucleosomes, which help package over six feet of DNA inside each cell. For years, researchers thought genes were either “on” or “off” depending on whether DNA was tightly wrapped. However, this study found the genome behaves more like a volume dial, allowing different levels of gene activity.
Using an AI tool called IDLI, researchers identified 14 distinct nucleosome structural states. More than 85% of nucleosomes showed some distortion, meaning sections of DNA were partially exposed and potentially available for gene regulation. This creates a more flexible system for controlling how genes function.
These findings are important in genetics because subtle gene expression changes are linked to diseases like cancer, aging, and neurodegenerative disorders. Understanding this hidden DNA “grammar” could help scientists design future treatments that adjust gene activity more precisely.
Article Link: https://www.drugtargetreview.com/ai-tool-reveals-dna-exists-in-partially-open-states/2135350.article
Additional Resource: https://distilinfo.com/2026/04/30/ai-reveals-dna-is-far-more-accessible/
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