A Breakthrough Discovery from Flinders University
A group of researchers from Flinders University in Australia has made a significant discovery concerning the origins of cancer. Their study of circular RNA, special structures in DNA, has attracted attention from the scientific community. Unlike regular linear RNA strands, circular ones form closed loops and can play a key role in the development of various diseases, including cancer.
The Role of Circular RNA in Cancer Development
Scientists have found that circular RNA can attach to DNA, sometimes introducing errors into its functioning, which can lead to the development of cancer. Studying blood samples from newborns showed an elevated level of certain circular RNAs in children who later developed leukemia, indicating their role in the development of the disease.
Implications for Disease Understanding and Treatment
This discovery points to the dangerous nature of circular RNA, which can accelerate the transformation of healthy cells into cancerous ones, highlighting their significance in understanding disease processes and developing new treatment methods.