The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), in collaboration with ATG Lifetech Inc. and Ewha Womans University, has developed foundational technology for temperature-based DNA synthesis. A research team led by Professor Yeongjae Choi announced the breakthrough on July 7th.

Traditionally, synthesizing DNA required repeatedly adding and removing chemical reagents for each of the four base pairs. The new approach uses “hairpin DNA that reacts only at specific temperatures.” The team placed multiple types of hairpin DNA that operate at different temperatures into a single test tube and succeeded in synthesizing desired DNA step by step by changing only the temperature in the sequence.

The technology eliminates the need for expensive automated equipment costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Researchers also demonstrated a “power-free DNA temperature black box” that activates with water and records temperature changes during shipping by encoding data into DNA sequences.

Journal: Nature Communications
Publication Date: July 2, 2026
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-74890-4
Article Title: Programmable one-pot polymerase-mediated DNA synthesis via temperature control
Co-First Authors: Jangho Choi (KAIST), Jinho Kim (GIST)
Corresponding Authors: Yeongjae Choi (KAIST), Hansol Choi (Ewha Womans University)

Source: EurekAlert