Tucked deep inside every cell is a time bomb we rarely talk about—mitochondrial DNA. Unlike its nuclear cousin, this tiny genetic engine doesn’t have much of a repair crew. When it breaks, it breaks hard. And that microscopic failure can cascade into inflammation, tissue damage, and a long list of chronic diseases.
But now, a team of researchers at UC Riverside has built something straight out of a cellular science thriller: a chemical shield that locks onto mitochondrial DNA before it unravels. It doesn’t just repair damage—it prevents the loss entirely.
Meet mTAP, a mitochondria-targeting molecular sentinel that doesn’t just react to cellular stress. It outsmarts it.
Continue reading… “The DNA Shield You Didn’t Know You Needed: How Scientists Are Now Fortifying Life’s Fragile Code”
