A study on the posttranslational modification through lactylation of non-histone proteins revealed a mechanism that participates in genome stability and provides resistance to chemotherapy. Scientists from The Second and The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) identified the lactation of the Nijmegen breakage syndrome 1 (NBS1) protein and the enzymes that participate in this process as a strategic point in cancer therapy.