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Nature 427, 598 (12 February 2004) | doi:10.1038/427598a

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Molecular biology: Ensuring error-free DNA repair

Tomas Lindahl1

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Damaged DNA must be removed with the utmost precision, as mistakes are costly. The structure of a repair enzyme bound to its substrate provides a welcome clue to how this is achieved.

Certain forms of oxygen, known as reactive oxygen species, can be deleterious for living organisms. Although most cells can tolerate and even exploit them, these oxygen forms may contribute to cancer, tissue degeneration and ageing.

  1. Tomas Lindahl is at the Cancer Research UK London Research Institute, Clare Hall Laboratories, South Mimms, Hertfordshire EN6 3LD, UK.
    Email: Tomas.Lindahl@cancer.org.uk