From junk to treasure

By Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lim Yat Yuen

For decades, scientists believed that most of our DNA was nothing more than “junk”—leftover remnants with no real function. Imagine the surprise when we began to uncover that this so-called junk might actually hold the keys to some of the most profound mysteries of life. Today, the non-coding RNA in our DNA is emerging as a treasure trove of information, shaping our understanding of diseases like cancer, liver infections, and even potential future treatments.

If you’ve ever wondered why so much of our DNA—99% of it, to be exact—doesn’t seem to code for anything useful, you’re not alone. This question has puzzled researchers for years. After all, only 1% of our DNA directly builds the proteins that make up our bodies. So, what does the rest of our DNA do? The answer is far from simple, but we are now realising that non-coding RNA, once overlooked, might be regulating some of the most crucial processes in our cells.

As researchers, we are starting to unravel the roles of these mysterious RNA molecules. Non-coding RNA is proving to be much more than biological debris. It could influence gene expression, control cell behaviour, and even hold the key to combating diseases that have eluded modern medicine.

One striking example comes from ongoing studies into circular RNAs (circRNAs), which differ from the typical linear RNA found in our cells. These stable, closed-loop molecules have been found across different species and may play significant roles in human health. At Universiti Malaya, my team and I are focused on exploring how circRNAs, both those produced by the body and by pathogens, interact with cells in ways that could influence diseases like cancer or infections.

What excites us most is how these discoveries could lead to medical breakthroughs. For instance, some circRNAs act like sponges, soaking up other small RNA molecules that would otherwise bind to their targets. This has profound implications for gene regulation and how diseases unfold in our bodies. Moreover, we’re finding that certain circRNAs might even be converted into proteins, potentially unlocking new biological functions we didn’t know existed.

We’ve already seen how non-coding RNAs can be used in clinical settings. A groundbreaking trial is targeting hepatitis C by inhibiting a particular non-coding RNA called miR-122, which helps the virus survive in the liver. Trials like these offer a glimpse of how these “junk” molecules might become game-changers in the medical world.

At this point, you might be wondering: Why should any of this matter to you? The truth is, our growing understanding of non-coding RNA isn’t just scientific trivia—it’s the foundation for a new era of medicine. These discoveries could help doctors detect diseases earlier, develop personalised treatments, and ultimately, improve patient outcomes.

As a scientist, I’ve learned that curiosity is the driving force behind innovation. Many of our greatest discoveries—like non-coding RNA—came from looking deeper into things once considered useless. Just as we found treasure in what was thought to be biological “junk,” who knows what other overlooked aspects of life hold hidden potential? It’s a reminder that we should stay curious, even toward things that seem unimportant or misunderstood.

The real challenge now is time. Our knowledge of non-coding RNA is still in its infancy, and we need to accelerate this research if we want to realise its full potential. This is where you come in. By supporting scientific inquiry—whether through awareness, advocacy, or even direct involvement in research—you can help ensure that these hidden treasures in our DNA are explored for the benefit of all.

And as we continue to unlock the secrets of non-coding RNA, I urge everyone to remain curious—not just about science but about everything in life, especially those things we might be quick to judge as useless or irrelevant. By questioning the overlooked and the misunderstood, we may find that the very things we discard as “junk” could very well hold the keys to our future.

^{The author is an associate professor at the Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, and may be contacted at yatyuen.lim@um.edu.my}