Hidden 'Dark Genes' in Human DNA Uncovered
A global consortium of researchers has identified tens of thousands of 'dark' genes in the human genome, which code for tiny proteins potentially involved in diseases like cancer. These genes, previously overlooked due to their short sequences, challenge the notion of 'junk DNA' and suggest the human genome is still incomplete. The study, pending peer review, highlights the biomedical relevance of these genes, particularly in cancer immunotherapy, and suggests they could represent new drug targets. Researchers found at least 3,000 new peptide-coding genes, with many more likely undiscovered.