Spatiotemporal Visualization of DNA Replication Dynamics

The ability of cells to copy their DNA allows them to transmit their genetic information to their progeny. In such, this central biological process preserves the instructions that direct the entire development of a cell. Earlier biochemical analysis in vitro and genetic analysis in yeast laid the basis of our understanding of the highly conserved mechanism of DNA replication. Recent advances on labeling and live-cell microscopy permit now the dissection of this fundamental process in vivo within the context of intact cells. In this chapter, we describe in detail how to perform multiple DNA replication labeling and detection allowing high spatial resolution imaging, as well as how to follow DNA replication in living cells allowing high temporal resolution imaging.