How Terahertz Waves Tear Apart DNA

the physics arXiv blog, Oct. 30, 2009

Los Alamos National Laboratory scientists have found that nonlinear resonant effects allow terahertz (THz) waves to unzip double-stranded DNA, creating bubbles in the double strand that could significantly interfere with processes such as gene expression and DNA replication.

THz scanners are beginning to be installed in airports and hospitals.

Reference: DNA Breathing Dynamics in the Presence of a Terahertz Field