DNA is the ultimate code of life. In 1953 Watson and Cric discovered the double helix structure of DNA using various theoretical assumptions. As DNA is the fundamental genetic materials in many organisms, to know its structure was necessary for understanding its interactions with different elements.

Recent years we cracked the sequence code of DNA, modified it for our various purposes. But, no one ever saw it actually. Recently Enzo Di Fabrizio at the University of Geona in Italy revealed a true photograph that exposes the double helix structure of DNA.

Instead of using traditional X-Ray crystalograpy, Di Fabrizio and his team used a scanning electron microsope. The technique was to snag out DNA thread out of a dilute solution and lay them on a bed of nanoscopic silicon pillars. The pattern of pillar was extremely water-repellent that made the moisture to evaporate quickly leaving DNA strands stretched out and ready to view. They drilled tiny holes into the base of the nanopillar bed, through which they shone electron beams to make their high resolution image.

They actually photographed seven strands of DNA wrapped into a chord, because the electrons emitted by the microscope are too powerful to take a picture of a single strand without destroying it.

Now, this phenomenon can be used to study single strands of DNA interacting with other molecules.

Source:http://news.discovery.com/tech/first-photo-of-dna-helix-taken-dnews-nugget-121129.html