ADN-ul uman nu este doar celebra dublă spirală. Cercetătorii au găsit forme stranii ascunse în genom • Newsweek România

Researchers have discovered that human DNA can adopt various unusual structures beyond the classic double helix, known as 'non-B DNA'. These alternative forms, which include G-quadruplexes and Z-DNA, can influence essential biological processes such as gene regulation and DNA replication. Recent advancements in long-read sequencing technologies have allowed scientists to map these structures more accurately, revealing that they may exist in about 13% of the human genome. While these forms could play a role in genomic evolution, they are also linked to potential genomic instability and diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Understanding these complexities is crucial for future genetic research.