New process can label DNA synthesis in vivo

Scientists have identified a new substance which can aid the labelling and visualisation of DNA synthesis in vivo.

The team from the University of Zurich explained that to visualise the synthesis of biomolecules in living organisms, often referred to as in vivo, artificial small molecules can be added to cell's own biosynthetic machinery and then become incorporated.

According to the scientists, the artificial molecules can then be highlighted selectively with fluorescent substances, but until now all of these substances have been toxic and caused cell death.

Anne Neef, of the Institute of Organic Chemistry at the University of Zurich, created a new substance, called called F-ara-Edu, that can replace the naturally occuring nucleoside thymidine in DNA biosynthesis with little or no impact on the health of the cell.

"As a demonstration of this, F-ara-Edu was injected into Zebrafish eggs immediately after fertilization. Following development and hatching of the fish, the very first cells undergoing differentiation in embryonic development could be identified," explained research advisor Professor Nathan Luedtke.

Posted by Fiona Griffiths