If we could understand the players involved in this process, we might be able to prevent the generation of these breaks. For example, if certain types of cell stress lead to breaks, we might be able to find ways to reduce those stresses and prevent breaks.

149

Our study shows that DNA itself can act as a mutagen, resulting in genetic instability. The discovery opens up a new field of inquiry into the role of DNA shape in genomic instability and cancer.

135