DNA Repair
Scientists develop live-cell sensor to watch DNA repair in real time
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Researchers at Utrecht University have engineered a fluorescent sensor that lets scientists observe DNA damage and repair in real time inside living cells and even within whole organisms. Built from components of a natural cellular protein, the tool provides continuous views of repair dynamics while minimizing interference with the cell’s own machinery. The work, reported in Nature Communications, could aid cancer research, drug testing and studies of aging.
Scientists at Scripps Research have revealed how cells activate an emergency DNA repair system when standard pathways fail, a process that some cancer cells rely on for survival. This backup mechanism, known as break-induced replication, is error-prone and could become a target for new cancer therapies. The findings highlight vulnerabilities in tumors with defective SETX protein.
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Researchers have discovered that cancer cells respond to physical squeezing by rapidly deploying mitochondria to the nucleus, delivering a burst of ATP to repair DNA damage and ensure survival. This mechanism, observed in lab experiments and patient biopsies, could inspire new strategies to halt cancer spread. The finding redefines mitochondria's role as dynamic responders rather than static energy sources.