Princeton Researchers Show How Junk DNA Activates Genes (1 of 2) (VIDEO)

Princeton University

Caption

Using an imaging technique developed at Princeton, researchers captured the moment when a segment of DNA -- from genetic material that was once thought to be useless junk -- turns on a target gene. The video shows the DNA segment, known as an enhancer (blue), as it approaches the gene (green) and activates it (red). The study reveals that close proximity between the enhancer and the gene is necessary to kickstart the activity of the gene.

Credit

Hongtao Chen, Princeton University

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