A group of Carolina chemists have created what they believe to be the world’s first liquid form of DNA. Though still in the early stages of research, the researchers say practical applications include microelectronic circuitry and genetic engineering.

Holden Thorp and Royce Murray, professors of chemistry, along with a couple of graduate students came up with the idea during a graduate student’s thesis defense. The group began discussing positively charged metal complexes that are known to liquefy substances.

Tony Leone, one of the graduate students, wondered what would happen if they tried to liquefy DNA—the complex helical molecule that serves as the blueprint for development and growth of all living things. He adopted the idea for part of his own thesis.

The team took DNA from herring (the fish) and combined negatively charged DNA crystals with positively charged molten metal complexes, a method they’ve used successfully over the past decade for liquefying other substances. The resulting substance is more the consistency of molasses than water, Murray says.

Because DNA has a built-in ability to recognize complementary sequences of itself, Thorp says it’s an ideal candidate for making electronic circuits.

“The difficulty has been figuring out how to get DNA on little bits and pieces of material. Since now it’s in a thick liquid and electronically active, you can begin to imagine ways to deposit it on tiny surfaces.”

For gene therapy, in which scientists try to reprogram abnormal or diseased genes and cells, liquid DNA could provide a more efficient delivery method for getting into cells. As a liquid, it’s more highly concentrated than in its solid form, so it can be used in smaller quantities, and it’s also able to mix more completely with other substances.