we report the self - assembly of a hydrophilic 8-(m - acetylphenyl)-2-deoxyguanosine ( mag ) derivative into a discrete and thermally stable hexadecameric supramolecule in aqueous media . 
 we demonstrate that this hexadecamer is isostructural to the one formed by a related lipophilic derivative in organic media . 
 this mag moiety represents a rare example of a small - molecule recognition motif that is capable of assembling isostructurally and with high fidelity in both organic and aqueous media .