New Tech Maps Hidden DNA Damage, a Key Driver of Cancer and Aging

PROVIDENCE, RI – February 25, 2026 – At the prestigious Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) 2026 meeting, researchers unveiled a groundbreaking method for visualizing a stealthy source of damage to the human genome. A collaboration between Providence-based Nabsys and the laboratory of Dr. Martin Taylor at Brown University has successfully used a novel technology to map the precise locations where a rogue genetic element, known as LINE-1, nicks and breaks our DNA—a process implicated in driving cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and age-related decline.

The findings, presented in a poster, showcase the power of Nabsys’s proprietary Electronic Genome Mapping (EGM) technology. For the first time, scientists can directly observe the genome-wide activity of the LINE-1 ORF2p endonuclease, the enzymatic “scissors” that this element uses to wreak havoc. This provides an unprecedented view into the mechanics of genomic instability, moving beyond simply reading the genetic code to watching it being actively damaged.

A New Lens on the Genome

At the heart of this breakthrough is the OhmX™ Platform, a benchtop instrument that represents a significant evolution in how we analyze DNA structure. Traditional genome sequencing has become adept at reading the linear sequence of As, Cs, Gs, and Ts. However, it often struggles to accurately capture large-scale structural changes or the myriad of modifications that occur on the DNA molecule itself. This is the gap Nabsys aims to fill.

Unlike optical mapping techniques that use fluorescence and cameras to visualize DNA, Nabsys’s EGM is entirely electronic. It threads extremely long DNA molecules through solid-state nanochannels, measuring minute changes in electrical current. The DNA molecule itself creates a baseline signal, and specific tags, attached to sites of interest like the nicks created by an enzyme, generate distinct electronic signatures. This allows for the creation of high-resolution, genome-wide maps of specific activities.

This electronic approach bypasses the diffraction limit of light that constrains optical methods, potentially offering higher resolution and a clearer picture of genomic events. The process demonstrated at AGBT involved treating human DNA with the LINE-1 ORF2p enzyme, labeling the resulting nicks using the company's VOLT kit, and then analyzing the DNA on the OhmX platform to map every single cut across the entire genome. This direct measurement of enzymatic activity offers a functional dimension that has been largely missing from genomics.

Exposing a Hidden Driver of Disease

The target of the study, LINE-1 (Long Interspersed Nuclear Element-1), is one of the most powerful forces shaping our DNA. These “jumping genes,” or retrotransposons, make up a staggering 17% of the human genome. They operate via a “copy and paste” mechanism, creating new copies of themselves that integrate into different locations. This process is driven by the ORF2p enzyme, which first nicks the DNA to create an insertion point.

While this activity has been a major engine of evolution, its aberrant function is a potent source of disease. The DNA breaks generated by ORF2p can lead to harmful insertions, large-scale structural rearrangements, and general genomic instability—a hallmark of cancer. Indeed, elevated LINE-1 activity is observed in numerous cancers and is linked to metastasis and poor outcomes. Furthermore, emerging research has connected this rogue activity to neurodegenerative conditions and the cellular decline associated with aging. An estimated 5% of humans are born with a new LINE-1 insertion not inherited from their parents, highlighting its role in sporadic genetic disease.

Until now, a detailed understanding of where and how often ORF2p cuts the genome has been limited. “Our understanding of the genomic sequences of LINE-1 endonuclease cuts is limited,” said Dr. Martin Taylor, the study's Principal Investigator at Brown University. “Understanding this activity is critical to understanding LINE-1-mediated DNA damage in cancer and insertional mutagenesis in sporadic genetic disease. EGM provides a powerful tool to directly map this critical enzymatic activity genome-wide.”

Beyond the Sequence: The Next Genomic Frontier

This work highlights a critical shift in genomics. For decades, the field has been dominated by sequencing—the quest to read the genetic blueprint. Now, the focus is expanding to understand the genome as a dynamic, three-dimensional, and functional entity. Simply knowing the sequence is not enough; researchers need to understand its structure, its modifications, and how it interacts with proteins and enzymes in real-time.

Nabsys’s EGM technology is positioned at the forefront of this new frontier. It provides a layer of information that is complementary to both short-read and long-read sequencing. While advanced long-read platforms can detect some DNA modifications like methylation, EGM offers a unique capability to directly map the functional consequences of enzymatic activity across vast genomic distances.

“LINE-1 activity contributes to the pathology of common diseases, including cancer, by inducing inflammation and DNA damage,” stated Dr. Barrett Bready, Founder and CEO of Nabsys. He emphasized the potential impact of the technology, noting, “We believe EGM is a powerful tool for directly measuring genome-scale DNA modifications, with the potential to significantly impact cell and gene therapy discovery and development.”

The company, which was acquired by Hitachi High-Tech in 2024, is pursuing an aggressive commercialization strategy. By positioning the OhmX as an accessible, high-resolution tool for analyzing structural variation and functional genomics, Nabsys aims to empower labs of all sizes. The ability to map endonuclease activity is just the first step. Dr. Taylor noted the team's excitement about adapting EGM for other assays, “such as directly mapping other DNA modifications and binding events.” This suggests a future where researchers can create multi-layered maps of the genome, charting not just the static code but the dynamic processes that bring it to life and, in some cases, cause it to break down.