DNA is tiny. It’s so tiny that nobody can see it in its natural form, at least for now.
Until technology catches up with our curiosity, the way researchers get a look is through crystallizing concentrated samples of DNA, a technique used by our friend Rosalind Franklin.
During the process, samples of DNA are placed in a special solution of chemicals. This causes a reaction which crystallizes the DNA strands, making their shape and structure visible to the naked eye. The process isn’t perfect. It doesn’t let us see every detail of the strands, but at least we get a glimpse at the mysterious substance that holds our unique genetic code.
You can see what your DNA looks like, too. Ready to follow in the footsteps of history’s best researchers? Check out this experiment from Live Science that you can do at home.