Mapping ‘dark’ regions of the genome illuminates how cells respond to their environment
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 2-Apr-2026 07:15 ET (2-Apr-2026 11:15 GMT/UTC)
Researchers at Duke University used CRISPR technologies to discover previously unannotated stretches of DNA in the ‘dark genome’ that are responsible for controlling how cells sense and respond to the mechanical properties of their local environment.
Understanding how these DNA sequences affect cellular identity and function could give researchers new therapeutic targets for illnesses that involve changes to mechanical properties of tissues, including fibrosis, cancer and stroke.
Researchers at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) have developed Spheromatrix, a simple and low-cost technology that enables tumor models to be grown, frozen, and stored for future use in cancer drug testing.
Vanderbilt University and EPB of Chattanooga, home of America’s most comprehensive quantum commercialization infrastructure, today announced plans to establish the Institute for Quantum Innovation, further positioning Chattanooga—and Tennessee—as a national hub for advancing quantum science and technology.
Like a growing vine, a new robotic gripper can snake around and lift a variety of objects, including a glass vase and a watermelon, offering a gentler approach than conventional gripper designs. A larger version of the robo-tendrils can also safely lift a human out of bed.