Imaging DNA double-strand breaks — are we there yet?

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are fundamental to cell biology, from evolution to the latest gene-editing technologies. Yet, does an assay exist that truly quantitatively visualizes DSBs? Over-reliance on DSB detection by proxies can misguide interpretation of conventional assays, and more faithful DSB representatives await development. Kempson and colleagues suggest that existing imaging assays do not quantitatively represent double-strand DNA breaks, and urge the development of more accurate assays.