Science China-Life Sciences, 27 February, 2026, DOI：https://doi.org/10.1007/s11427-025-3189-5

TRAD: a functional annotation resource for human tandem repeats

Xiaowei Chen, Jingkai Xu, Xuejiao Song, Zhen Fan, Jungang Yang, Tingting Jiang, Lili Chen, Yong Cui, Runsheng Chen & Xianbo Zuo

Abstract

Tandem repeats (TRs), encompassing short tandem repeats (STRs, 1–6 base pairs (bp) motifs) and variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs, >6 bp motifs), constitute a substantial and functionally significant portion of the human genome (Hannan, 2018). TRs include over 1 million discrete STR loci alone, occupying ~3%–5% of genomic DNA (Tanudisastro et al., 2024). Critically, expansions of specific TRs are established causes of over 70 severe human diseases, predominantly neurological and neuromuscular disorders.

Article link：https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11427-025-3189-5