Chromosomes are caught in action

A team of Swiss researchers has managed to film the movement of yeast chromosomes in the cell nucleus. The most cutting-edge microscopic technique has allowed us to see more precisely than ever the movement of chromosomes. The microscope makes a photo per second and a half. According to the journal Science, the most active regions of chromosomes cross the nucleus 30 times in five minutes, while telomeres remain attached to the core membrane for the whole time.

According to the researchers, the study of the chromosomal movement will allow to learn about the expression of genes and, in short, about the development of living things. For example, they believe that good chromosome movement during cell fragmentation is critical to creating unflawed eggs and sperm.