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Related Concept Videos

The DNA Replication Fork01:02

The DNA Replication Fork

An organism’s genome needs to be duplicated in an efficient and error-free manner for its growth and survival. The replication fork is a Y-shaped active region where two strands of DNA are separated and replicated continuously. The coupling of DNA unzipping and complementary strand synthesis is a characteristic feature of a replication fork.   Organisms with small circular DNA, such as E. coli, often have a single origin of replication; therefore, they have only two replication forks, one in...
The DNA Replication Fork01:02

The DNA Replication Fork

An organism’s genome needs to be duplicated in an efficient and error-free manner for its growth and survival. The replication fork is a Y-shaped active region where two strands of DNA are separated and replicated continuously. The coupling of DNA unzipping and complementary strand synthesis is a characteristic feature of a replication fork.   Organisms with small circular DNA, such as E. coli, often have a single origin of replication; therefore, they have only two replication forks, one in...
DNA Replication02:40

DNA Replication

DNA replication involves the separation of the two strands of the double helix, with each strand serving as a template from which the new complementary strand is copied.  After replication, each double-stranded DNA includes one parental or “old” strand and one “new” strand. This is known as semiconservative replication. The resulting DNA molecules have the same sequence and are divided equally into the two daughter cells.
Replication in Prokaryotes
DNA replication uses a large number of...
Lagging Strand Synthesis01:59

Lagging Strand Synthesis

During replication, the complementary strands in double-stranded DNA are synthesized at different rates. Replication first begins on the leading strand. Replication starts later, occurs more slowly, and proceeds discontinuously on the lagging strand.
There are several major differences between synthesis of the leading strand and synthesis of the lagging strand. 1) Leading strand synthesis happens in the direction of replication fork opening, whereas lagging strand synthesis happens in the...
Replication in Prokaryotes01:32

Replication in Prokaryotes

DNA replication has three main steps: initiation, elongation, and termination. Replication in prokaryotes begins when initiator proteins bind to the single origin of replication (ori) on the cell's circular chromosome. Replication then proceeds around the entire circle of the chromosome in each direction from the two replication forks, resulting in two DNA molecules.
Many Proteins Work Together to Replicate the Chromosome
Replication is coordinated and carried out by a host of specialized...
Replication in Prokaryotes02:35

Replication in Prokaryotes

Overview

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Visualizing Single-molecule DNA Replication with Fluorescence Microscopy
15:57

Visualizing Single-molecule DNA Replication with Fluorescence Microscopy

Published on: October 9, 2009

Visualizing DNA replication at the single-molecule level.

Nathan A Tanner1, Antoine M van Oijen

  • 1Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Methods in Enzymology
|July 15, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

New single-molecule methods reveal how enzymes coordinate DNA replication. These techniques track individual DNA replication machinery (replisomes) to understand complex DNA synthesis processes.

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Single-Molecule Real-Time Visualization of DNA Unwinding by CMG Helicase

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Visualizing Single-molecule DNA Replication with Fluorescence Microscopy
15:57

Visualizing Single-molecule DNA Replication with Fluorescence Microscopy

Published on: October 9, 2009

Visualization of DNA Replication in the Vertebrate Model System DT40 using the DNA Fiber Technique
07:18

Visualization of DNA Replication in the Vertebrate Model System DT40 using the DNA Fiber Technique

Published on: October 27, 2011

Single-Molecule Real-Time Visualization of DNA Unwinding by CMG Helicase
07:37

Single-Molecule Real-Time Visualization of DNA Unwinding by CMG Helicase

Published on: September 27, 2024

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Single-molecule techniques offer unprecedented resolution for studying molecular mechanisms.
  • Understanding DNA replication dynamics is crucial for cell biology and disease research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and apply novel single-molecule methods for observing coordinated DNA replication.
  • To investigate the dynamic interplay of DNA unwinding, priming, and synthesis at the replication fork.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a tethered-particle technique to visualize replication loop dynamics.
  • Employed fluorescence imaging to quantify single replisome rates and processivity.
  • Measured DNA replication activity by monitoring the length changes of individual DNA molecules.

Main Results:

  • Successfully visualized the formation and release of replication loops in real-time.
  • Obtained direct measurements of replication rates and processivity for individual replisomes.
  • Demonstrated the ability to observe transient reaction intermediates and enzyme heterogeneity.

Conclusions:

  • Developed powerful single-molecule tools for dissecting complex DNA replication.
  • These methods provide new insights into the coordinated action of enzymes at the replication fork.
  • The observed heterogeneity in replisome behavior offers avenues for future research.