Synthetic DNA Tool Curbs Cancer-Linked MYC Gene
Researchers at the University of Portsmouth report modified DNA molecules that reduce activity of the MYC gene in laboratory experiments.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Life Sciences
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Researchers developed synthetic DNA molecules that reduced activity of the cancer-linked MYC gene by between 50 and 80 per cent in laboratory experiments. The findings are published in Nucleic Acids Research, and the modified DNA bases have been made commercially available to other laboratories.
Why it matters
Naturally occurring DNA bases do not bind strongly enough to double-stranded DNA to be effective inside cells, which has limited earlier approaches. Making the modified bases widely accessible could allow other laboratories to build on the technique without needing custom synthesis by expert chemists.
The results come from laboratory experiments reported in a peer-reviewed paper, showing a 50 to 80 per cent reduction in MYC gene activity compared with unmodified DNA and earlier approaches. The source does not indicate whether the technique has been tested in living organisms or patients.
The players
University of Portsmouth
A public research university in Portsmouth, England, where the lead researcher works and where the study was conducted.
The details
The team incorporated a commercially available synthetic DNA base known as Z into triplex-forming oligonucleotides designed to recognise and attach to specific DNA sequences. The modification allowed the molecules to bind more strongly and selectively to GC-rich regions of DNA, and the researchers say the technology may eventually be adapted to target many different genes by altering the sequence.
Timeline
- Paper published in Nucleic Acids Research on November 4, 2026
The Big Picture
The study extends triplex-forming oligonucleotide methods, which aim to recognise specific DNA sequences, by adding a synthetic base that binds more strongly than natural bases. Its significance for the field depends on whether the approach can be generalised to many gene targets beyond MYC.
If the approach proves effective in living systems, it could eventually inform new cancer treatments that target gene activity directly. For now, the technology is limited to laboratory use and has not been shown to affect patients.
The takeaway
The study shows that a single commercially available synthetic DNA base can make gene-targeting molecules bind more strongly, offering a practical tool for other researchers. Readers should note that the results are from laboratory experiments and that clinical use remains a future goal.
Further reading
Explore more in Life Sciences to see how gene-targeting research is developing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Firstwordpharma.
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