A hexanucleotide repeat expansion represents the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia, though the mechanisms by which the expansion cause neurodegeneration are poorly understood. We report elevated levels of DNA/RNA hybrids (R-loops) and double-strand breaks (DSBs) in rodent neurons, human cells, and in C9orf72-ALS patient spinal cord tissues. Accumulation of endogenous DNA damage is concomitant with defective ATM-mediated DNA repair signalling and accumulation of protein-linked DNA breaks. We further reveal that defective ATM-mediated DNA repair is a consequence of p62 accumulation, which impairs H2A ubiquitylation and perturbs ATM signalling. Adeno-associated virus-mediated expression of C9orf72-related RNA and dipeptide repeats in the murine central nervous system causes elevated DSBs, ATM defects, and triggers neurodegeneration. These findings identify R-Loops, DSBs, and defective ATM-mediated repair as pathological consequences of C9orf72 expansions, and suggest that C9orf72-linked neurodegeneration is driven, at least in part, by genomic instability.

Our genomes contain the blueprint of what makes us human and many indications as to why we develop disease. Until the last 10 years, most studies had focussed on protein-coding genes, more specifically DNA sequences coding for proteins. However, this represents less than 5% of our genomes. The other 95% is referred to as the 'dark matter' of our genomes, our understanding of which is extremely limited. Part of this 'dark matter' includes regions that give rise to RNAs that do not code for proteins. A subset of these non-coding RNAs are long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which in particular are beginning to be dissected and their importance to human health revealed. To improve our understanding and treatment of disease it is vital that we understand the molecular and cellular function of lncRNAs, and how their misregulation can contribute to disease. It is not yet clear what proportion of lncRNAs is actually functional; conservation during evolution is being used to understand the biological importance of lncRNA. Here, we present key themes within the field of lncRNAs, emphasising the importance of their roles in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm of cells, as well as patterns in their modes of action. We discuss their potential functions in development and disease using examples where we have the greatest understanding. Finally, we emphasise why lncRNAs can serve as biomarkers and discuss their emerging potential for therapy.No conflicts of interest were declared. What are lncRNAs?LncRNAs are RNAs of >200 nucleotides (nt) in length that are not thought to code for proteins. Although our appreciation and understanding of lncRNA function and importance has exploded in the last decade, the first lncRNAs were discovered in the 1990s: BC200, H19 [1], and Xist [2]. In the post-genomic era, extensive and deep RNA-Seq has revealed the existence of huge numbers of novel RNA transcripts, including lncRNAs. Many of these novel transcripts are low in abundance and so were not previously identified. Several consortia have been responsible for sequencing RNA from a variety of tissues, cell types, organisms, and disease states, and we now have a much more precise view of which RNA transcripts are expressed, and when and where (GENCODE [3], GTEX [4], FANTOM [5]).

The COVID‐19 outbreak has affected cancer research and cancer care. European cancer charities need to reconsider strategies for safeguarding income and supporting cancer researchers, in times when sustaining cancer research funding is more crucial than ever.

As FEBS Open Bio approaches its 10th anniversary, we have decided it is an ideal time to give the members of our prestigious Editorial Board an opportunity to discuss their research, publishing, and the activities of FEBS in the virtual pages of the journal. This new interview series is being helmed by Professor Beata Vertessy, who has been on the FEBS Open Bio Editorial Board since 2013 and has recently been promoted to Senior Editor. As the organizer, she has agreed to give the inaugural interview.

where he developed DNA & RNA synthesis technology and was involved in the Human Genome Project. Simon is a CAS scholar and has also been a Professor of Bioinformatics at the Chinese Agricultural University in Beijing. Here, he tells us about his multidisciplinary career transitions, including experience working on three continents, and reflects on implementing open science and fair data.