Interactive animation showing how UVC light creates thymine dimers in DNA
Thymine dimers form when UVC radiation (254nm) causes adjacent thymine bases in DNA to form abnormal chemical bonds, creating a cyclobutane ring.
This DNA damage blocks replication and transcription, which is harmful to cells but helps protect against pathogens by preventing them from reproducing.
UV sterilization technology uses this mechanism for disinfection, making it effective against bacteria and viruses.