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Deep sea an untapped ‘evolutionary engine’ says new study

A new study has analyzed over 2100 samples to build a genetic dataset containing more than 500 million unique genes, revealing the immense potential of deep-sea biodiversity for developing new technologies. The research found that despite vast genetic diversity, deep-sea organisms rely on stable, core designs to survive extreme conditi...

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalCell Host & Microbe·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 10, 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

From chemical curiosity to key piece in cancer research

Scientists at Umeå University found that i-DNA forms in living cells and acts as a regulatory bottleneck linked to cancer. The protein PCBP1 controls its resolution, which can block replication and increase DNA damage risk if not done properly. This discovery opens new avenues for drug development by targeting i-DNA handling.

Dicer: Life's ancient repair tool

A team of scientists has found that Dicer, an ancient protein, plays a vital role in resolving conflicts between transcription and replication processes in the genome. Without Dicer, T-R collisions lead to DNA damage, mutations, and cancer. The study highlights the importance of Dicer in maintaining genome stability.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalMolecular Cell·DateOct 28, 2025

Licensed to live

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have deciphered the first step in DNA replication, a process crucial for life. The study identifies over 100 proteins essential for this mechanism, which enables cells to duplicate genetic material efficiently.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateJul 29, 2025

A more realistic look at DNA in action

Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that DNA's behavior changes in a crowded environment, affecting the amount of stress required for strand separation. The study used microscopic magnetic tweezers to investigate interactions between DNA and various molecules.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateMay 9, 2025

Researchers offer alternative to hydroxyurea in study of DNA replication process

Researchers at Colorado State University have identified an alternate method to study changes during the DNA replication process in lab settings using genetically modified yeast. This new approach provides a less toxic and quickly reversible alternative to hydroxyurea, allowing for better insight into cell cycle arrest mechanisms.

SourceColorado State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 16, 2024

Chromosome copying errors pinpointed in embryo development

Researchers at RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics found multiple specialized types of DNA replication in early-stage embryos, including a period of instability prone to chromosomal copying errors. This discovery could lead to improved methods of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and better strategies for minimizing chromosomal abnormalities.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature·DateAug 28, 2024

How cells boost gene expression

A research team from Göttingen University has discovered that antisense RNA (asRNA) plays a crucial role in cell transport, allowing cells to accelerate gene expression and produce proteins quickly in response to environmental stress or harm. This new understanding sheds light on the function of asRNAs and their potential link to disea...

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2024

Discovered a RNA molecule that helps prevent DNA replication errors

A long non-coding RNA called lncREST has been identified as a crucial component of the stress response during DNA replication. Its absence leads to impaired stress signalling, resulting in severe DNA defects and cell death. The discovery opens up new avenues for developing anti-tumour therapies.

SourceCentro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA) Universidad de Navarra·JournalNature Communications·TypeNews article·DateMar 4, 2024

Discovery of primitive mitochondrial DNA replication enzymes

Researchers identified 10 new types of DNA polymerase involved in mitochondrial DNA maintenance, including rdxPolA, which is a direct descendant of the α-proteobacterial symbiont that gave rise to the first mitochondrion. The study provides critical insights into the early evolution of mitochondrial DNA maintenance machinery.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateFeb 29, 2024

Double trouble at chromosome ends

Scientists have discovered two new end-replication problems in DNA replication, affecting both the leading and lagging strands. This revelation changes our understanding of telomere biology and may hold clinical implications for individuals with telomere disorders, such as Coats plus syndrome.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalNature·DateFeb 28, 2024

Cells of the future: A key to reprogramming cell identities

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich have discovered a new relationship between DNA replication timing and cellular plasticity, allowing for the potential reprogramming of cells. The study found that the three-dimensional structure of the genome influences the flexibility of the replication timing program.

Researchers uncover NSMF protein’s role in relieving DNA replication stress

Researchers discovered NSMF protein's role in alleviating DNA replication stress by displacing weakly bound RPA proteins and promoting phosphorylation. This mechanism accelerates relief of replication stress, offering a new direction for treating various diseases, including cancer and age-related conditions.

Beyond the average cell

Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis and Purdue University used single-cell data to develop a new framework for understanding the relationship between cell growth, DNA replication, and division in bacteria. They found that individual cells can exquisitely coordinate these processes, despite the 'noisiness' of each process.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalPLOS Genetics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 9, 2023

DNA repair scheme gets closer look for cancer therapy

Researchers at Rice University and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital discovered the structural basis of DNA polymerase theta-mediated microhomology-mediated end joining, a process complementary to homologous recombination and non-homologous end joining. This mechanism could be a promising target for precision cancer therapy.

SourceRice University·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2023

Faulty DNA repair may lead to BRCA-linked cancers

A new study by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators discovered that error-prone DNA replication and repair may lead to mutations and cancer in individuals with BRCA1 gene mutations. The team identified a faulty DNA repair mechanism called microhomology-mediated break-induced replication (MMBIR) as a key contributor to genomic instabili...

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalMolecular Cell·DateNov 15, 2022

NTU Singapore scientists’ discovery of the structure of a key part of our chromosomes could improve understanding of how humans age and develop cancer

Scientists from NTU Singapore have discovered that telomeres are stacked in columns like a spring, leaving DNA exposed to damage. This finding could improve understanding of how humans age and develop cancer, with potential treatments for diseases caused by dysfunctional telomeres.

New model captures the erratic speed of DNA copying proteins in bacteria

A new study by OIST researchers has developed a model that determines variations in the speed of DNA copying proteins in bacterial genomes. The model shows that certain sections of DNA are copied faster than others, and this variation is linked to an increased error rate, which could have implications for mutation rates.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournaleLife·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 29, 2022