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Human-safe drug repairs DNA in a mouse model of Alzheimer's

Scientists at King's College London have developed a human-safe drug that repairs DNA breaks and reduces inflammation in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. This approach targets multiple features of the disease simultaneously, providing a broader therapeutic strategy than previous approaches focused on individual disease hallmarks.

SourceKing's College London·JournalFEBS Open Bio·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 8, 2026

How do plants survive constant DNA damage?

Researchers found a unique protein called YAF9B that helps plants protect their stem cells from DNA damage. This discovery sheds light on how plants coordinate DNA repair processes, which could improve future crops by guiding more precise genome editing.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 2026

University of Pittsburgh researchers discover unexpected chromosome interaction that fuels aggressive cancers

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine discovered an unexpected chromosome interaction between telomeres and centromeres in some aggressive cancers. This interaction creates a genetic signature that could help identify ALT-positive tumors, which are often challenging to treat due to genomic instability.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature·DateJun 3, 2026

DNA repair protein gene gone rogue may unlock new cancer treatments

Researchers discovered that overproduction of a DNA repair protein creates DNA damage mimicking BRCA mutations, which may respond to targeted treatments. Tumors with high levels of EXO1 protein exhibit characteristics similar to BRCA-mutant cells, suggesting personalized therapies could be effective.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 21, 2026

New AI tool developed by Stowers Institute and Helmholtz Munich scientists predicts how cells choose their future — helping uncover hidden drivers of development

Researchers developed RegVelo, an AI framework that models cellular dynamics and gene regulation to predict cellular fate decisions. The model traces developmental trajectories and simulates regulatory interactions, providing insights into hidden drivers of development and potential therapeutic targets.

Scientists reveal how cells “back up” DNA replication to survive severe damage

Researchers found that DNA helicase HELQ promotes replication fork reversal to protect cells from toxic DNA crosslinks. This process enables stalled replication forks to reverse and stabilize, minimizing mutations and cell death. The study identifies HELQ as a critical regulator of genome integrity under replication stress.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 7, 2026

Researchers identify blood-based biomarker for cancer risk in people with Lynch Syndrome

A new blood-based biomarker has been discovered to help identify individuals at higher risk of developing cancer in people with Lynch Syndrome. The biomarker uses immune signatures detected in blood samples to provide unique characteristics that can detect cancer risk, allowing for early detection and personalized surveillance.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 6, 2026

Cracking the evolutionary code of sleep

A Bar-Ilan University study uncovers the origin of sleep in jellyfish and sea anemones, demonstrating that protecting neurons from DNA damage is a basic function of sleep. The research shows that both species accumulate DNA damage during wakefulness and reduce it during sleep, with increased damage triggering recovery sleep.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 6, 2026

Alcohol causes cancer. A study from IOCB Prague confirms damage to DNA and shows how cells defend against it

Researchers found that alcohol causes DNA damage, which can lead to cancer, and discovered a repair mechanism using the SXE enzyme complex. Individuals with genetic mutations affecting DNA repair may be more susceptible to alcohol-related cancers.

New protein targets for cancer treatments

Scientists at UNIGE have identified MLF2 and RBM15 as key proteins regulating chromatin remodelling, which can go awry leading to cancers and neurological disorders. These two proteins could become promising therapeutic targets for diseases linked to disrupted chromatin remodelling.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 24, 2025

Revealing new clues to curb DNA damage

Researchers at University of Seville have discovered patulin and xestoquinol as inhibitors of DNA topoisomerase 1, a key enzyme in DNA metabolism. These natural compounds may provide a new class of anticancer drugs by preventing DNA cuts from being ligated.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 29, 2025

Newfound role for cancer gene could improve key drug class

A new study led by NYU Langone Health scientists sheds light on how the major cancer gene BRCA2 determines which cancer cells can be killed by a class of precision cancer drugs called PARP inhibitors. Intact BRCA2 functions as a molecular shield, preventing PARP1 from disrupting DNA repair complexes, and its activity dictates PARP inhi...

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 3, 2025