Non-coding does not mean non-functioning. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a linear, single-stranded polymer (large molecule) that contains D-ribose nucleotides that are copied from a DNA template—RNA genes function in the genome. These include a huge diversity of short and long RNAs. Some code for proteins while many others are used in a wide variety of cellular processes.

Scientists have long been baffled as to what actually tells proteins called transcription factors (TFs) where to bind in the genome to turn genes off and on. However, new research incorporating the three-dimensional shape of DNA has revealed an incredibly complex system of interacting biochemical codes.¹