Cellules en cours de division lors de la métaphase

Cells in the process of dividing during the metaphase (i.e. the second phase in the mitotic cell-division sequence), observed using fluorescence microscopy. DNA is marked in blue, whereas the red colour is attributable to the mitotic spindle along which chromosomes move during the cell-division process. Here, scientists are analysing this stage of mitosis as part of a study into a particular type of cell-death: mitotic catastrophe. This phenomenon is caused either by a defect in the cell cycle sequence or by a DNA alteration. Accordingly, researchers observe the consequences of breaks on DNA, for example.