Every cell has a DNA repair mechanism to fix damage. "With a human cell, if there are any more than two breaks in the entire billion base pair genome, it can't fix itself and it dies", Robert Szabla, lead researcher, explained.

Credits: envato elements; Author: wayhomestudioo;

"But in the case of DdrC, this unique protein helps the cell to repair hundreds of broken DNA fragments into a coherent genome", he added. The findings could provide the foundation for developing everything from vaccines against cancer to crops that can withstand drought.