{
  "id": 6446989,
  "title": "Team finds new layer of the human genome",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/team-finds-new-layer-of-the-human-genome",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-09T17:11:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Futurity",
    "slug": "futurity",
    "url": "https://www.futurity.org/new-layer-human-genome-3344832/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent study has revealed a previously unknown aspect of DNA structure and function, potentially altering how scientists perceive the organization and regulation of human genes. The research, published in the prestigious journal Cell, unveils the existence of embedded RNA building blocks within DNA, collectively termed the \"human nuclear ribome.\" These RNA fragments, typically considered aberrations requiring removal, were found to be strategically positioned across the genome and significantly associated with active gene regions. Their abundance intensifies with heightened gene activity, implying a possible role in regulating transcription, the process by which genetic information is transcribed from DNA into RNA. Previous understanding held that DNA and RNA were distinct molecules in cellular processes; however, this study challenges that notion. Through meticulous mapping, researchers discovered that these embedded ribonucleotides do not form a random distribution but rather exhibit distinct patterns across the genome, suggesting a hidden order within the DNA structure. This discovery implies that these RNA fragments could influence DNA supercoiling, a process integral to gene expression and regulation. The presence of these RNA elements near active gene regions and their correlation with increased DNA supercoiling indicate a potential mechanism by which they modulate the physical properties of DNA, affecting how tightly it is wound and coiled. This novel insight challenges the conventional view of these RNA building blocks as mere genetic errors, proposing instead that they could play a fundamental role in the maintenance and organization of the genome, with implications for understanding diseases linked to their improper removal. The study, led by professor Francesca Storici from Georgia Tech and involving a collaborative effort across multiple institutions, marks a significant milestone in the field of genome biology. By providing the first comprehensive map of these RNA marks within human nuclear DNA, the research opens new avenues for exploring their influence on DNA organization, transcription, and overall genome function, paving the way for further investigations into the intricate relationship between the chemical composition of DNA, its physical organization, and the critical process of transcription.",
  "summary": "New findings could change how scientists think about DNA organization, transcription, and genome function.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}