Unveiling Genetic Regulation: The Revolutionary LORAX-seq Technique

Researchers at Stanford have discovered that short tandem repeats (STRs) in DNA can influence gene regulation by acting as "lobbies" where transcription factors gather near regulatory binding sites, affecting gene expression. These weak interactions may play a significant role in the complex and flexible gene regulation systems of eukaryotic organisms, allowing for adaptability and evolution. The findings suggest that the influence of STRs on gene expression is combinatorial and involves cooperative interactions between transcription factors and other regulatory molecules. This fuzzy and analog regulation contrasts with the more digital regulatory logic found in prokaryotes like bacteria.