If measured from beginning to end, the DNA in our cells is too long to fit into the cell’s nucleus, explaining why it must be constantly folded and packaged. When it is time for cell division, and the genetic information needs to be passed on to the next generation, DNA must be packed particularly tightly, else serious consequences for a cell’s viability might ensue. In a trans-European team effort, researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology in Dortmund (MPI), the Netherlands Cancer Institute, and the Human Technopole in Milan have now discovered a molecular switch that regulates DNA packing into the typical sausage-shaped chromosomes observed during cell division. The discovery of this central mechanism for cell division has many potential applications in medicine and biotechnology.

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region plays a crucial role in immune function; therefore, any genetic or epigenetic polymorphisms within the MHC locus may result in various diseases, as well as cancer immunoediting. Given its high polymorphism, accurately profiling the MHC region using conventional reference genomes is a challenge. Yet, generating complete, high-quality haplotype-resolved assemblies of the MHC region for commonly used cell lines is both a necessity and a valuable resource for the research community.

Current cancer screening methods are limited in scope, often detecting only a few cancer types with low positive predictive value and suboptimal patient adherence. In recent years, liquid biopsy-based multi-cancer early detection (MCED) has emerged as a promising approach to revolutionize cancer control. Despite several MCED tests reaching clinical trial phases and seeking regulatory approval, none have yet been approved for clinical use, highlighting uncertainties regarding their efficacy and applicability. This review comprehensively examines the advancements in MCED technologies and offers insights into the selection of cancer types for inclusion in MCED panels. Researchers explore the clinical development pathway for MCED, from biomarker discovery and analytical validation to large-scale randomized controlled trials, emphasizing the importance of selecting appropriate endpoints such as reducing late-stage cancer incidence or cancer-specific mortality. Key challenges, including achieving optimal sensitivity for early-stage cancers, minimizing false positives and negatives, and ensuring equitable access to MCED tests, are also addressed. Finally, they evaluate the added value and health economic benefits of integrating MCED into established healthcare systems through widespread implementation. By providing a thorough analysis of these aspects, this review aims to advance the field of cancer screening and guide future research and development efforts.