Pharma Tech News & Development

Junk DNA could hold the key to many neurological disorders.

New research has discovered a link between non-coding DNA and various neurological disorders, including motor neuron disease and Alzheimer’s. A team from the University of Lincoln and the University of Sheffield have identified how oxidative breaks or ‘junk’ DNA are created and repaired, learning how the process of repairing these breaks could protect people from neurological diseases in the future.

This exciting discovery will unlock the potential for pioneering new research and studies into this junk DNA which makes up approximately 98% of our total cellular DNA.

“This is the culmination of half a decade of rigorous research by an exceptionally talented team led by Professor Sherif El-Khamisy at the University of Sheffield,” explained lead author Dr. Swagat Ray, senior lecturer in cell biology at the School of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Lincoln.

“Oxidative stress is an unavoidable consequence of cellular metabolism and can be influenced by factors such as diet, lifestyle, and environment. However, in the long term, oxidative stress can cause irreparable damage to the body’s cells, proteins, and DNA, accelerating the aging process and contributing to the development of neurological diseases such as dementia,” he added.

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological disorder that causes your brain to shrink and brain cells to die. It’s one of the most comm