'Quadruple helix' DNA discovered in human cells

[redgreenandblue]

http://phys.org/news/2013-01-quadruple-helix-dna-human-cells.html

In 1953, Cambridge researchers Watson and Crick published a paper describing the interweaving 'double helix' DNA structure - the chemical code for all life. Now, in the year of that scientific landmark's 60th Anniversary, Cambridge researchers have published a paper proving that four-stranded 'quadruple helix' DNA structures - known as G-quadruplexes - also exist within the human genome. They form in regions of DNA that are rich in the building block guanine, usually abbreviated to 'G'.
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[theHandpuppet]

1. Looks as if this could provide a breakthrough in the treatment of cancer

If only the nations of the world would pool their resources into research rather than war, just think what we could accomplish.

[htuttle]

2. Hmm...

[Historic NY]

3. Amazing, the only war I want right now is the war on cancer.

"The research indicates that quadruplexes are more likely to occur in genes of cells that are rapidly dividing, such as cancer cells. For us, it strongly supports a new paradigm to be investigated - using these four-stranded structures as targets for personalised treatments in the future."