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Fishing for Complements

New technique for improved highlighting of DNA and RNA molecules in cells and tissues

21 June 2019

Fishing for Complements

Bobbing around in the darkness inside cells, DNA and RNA molecules are essential for life, but usually invisible. Here a technique called fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) aims to attach fluorescent beacons to specific RNAs which highlight distinct layers of cells in a developing fish eye, such as its light-sensing photoreceptors (pink) and ganglion cells (green). Certain RNA molecules are rare inside cells, and may slip through the net of less sensitive FISH-ing methods. Here though, a new technique uses 'sticky' molecules complementary to the structure of the DNAs and RNAs to help attach multiple fluorescent beacons, boosting the RNA’s brightness under a fluorescence microscope. FISH patterns can be used to map out different RNA and DNA in 3D or perhaps for studying genomic changes that may occur during development or disease.

Written by John Ankers

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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

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