In a new study published in Science Advances, Northwestern scientists repurposed flexible DNA strands as a blueprint and programmable molecular glue. Using DNA, the team directed proteins to assemble into diffraction-quality, intentionally designed crystal structures with atomic-level order. The strategy enabled the scientists to precisely control how proteins connect, creating unusually soft, flexible crystals while achieving the high structural order needed to determine protein structures. How DNA pulls proteins togetherNormally, proteins crystallize because parts of their surfaces happen to stick together through multiple, weak chemical interactions. In the new study, Mirkin’s team attached short DNA strands to each protein.