Non-Homologous End Joining

Non-Homologous End Joining (NHEJ) is a process cells use to repair broken DNA strands. When a DNA double-strand breaks, NHEJ quickly reattaches the broken ends without needing a matching sequence. The cell detects the break, processes the ends if necessary, and then directly joins them back together. While this method is fast and efficient, it can sometimes introduce small errors or mutations at the repair site. NHEJ is crucial for maintaining genetic stability, especially in non-dividing cells, and plays a key role in preventing mutations and cell death caused by DNA damage.