Summary of volume 51: DNA damage and double-strand breaks.

DNA damage and breaks are events that happen to DNA which exert a variety of influence on cell physiology including inhibition of DNA synthesis, repair response, cell cycle effect and cell death. Thus, it is important to deepened understanding of these events. In volume 51, we discussed topics including (1) assays to detect double-strand breaks, (2) conditions leading to double-strand breaks, (3) effects of irradiation, (4) DNA structure and chromatins, and (5) direct and indirect effect on DNA. Contributing authors and a table of contents for volume 51 are mentioned. We also discuss further issues and topics that need to be featured in future volumes. These include DNA damage sensors, DNA damage response proteins, and double-strand break repair pathways.