A lnc RNA to repair DNA

Long non‐coding RNA s (lnc RNA s) have emerged as regulators of various biological processes, but to which extent lnc RNA s play a role in genome integrity maintenance is not well understood. In this issue of EMBO Reports , Sharma et al [1][Sharma V, 2015] identify the DNA damage‐induced lnc RNA DDSR 1 as an integral player of the DNA damage response ( DDR ). DDSR 1 has both an early role by modulating repair pathway choices, and a later function when it regulates gene expression. Sharma et al [1][Sharma V, 2015] thus uncover a dual role for a hitherto uncharacterized lnc RNA during the cellular response to DNA damage.