DNA organization identified as key to tissue regeneration

Researchers have identified that the three-dimensional organization of DNA is a critical factor in tissue regeneration following an injury. A study published in Science Advances reveals that after an injury, DNA undergoes spatial reorganization within the cell nucleus, forming chromatin loops that act as bridges between distant genomic sequences.

Led by Professor Montserrat Corominas of the University of Barcelona, the research demonstrates that regeneration depends not only on which genes are activated, but also on how the genome's physical architecture is restructured. This discovery highlights the three-dimensional architecture of the genome as a vital layer of regulation in regenerative processes. The collaborative study included researchers from the National Centre for Genomic Analysis and the University of Lausanne.