Sleep increases chromosome dynamics that clear out DNA damage accumulated during waking hours
Why do animals sleep? Why do humans “waste” a third time of their lives sleeping? Throughout evolution sleep has remained universal and essential to all organisms with a nervous system, including invertebrates such as flies, worms, and even jellyfish. But the reason why animals sleep -- despite the continuous threat of predators -- still remains a mystery and is considered among the biggest unanswered questions in life sciences.
In a new study published in the journal Nature Communications, researchers at Bar-Ilan University reveal a novel and unexpected function of sleep that they believe could explain how sleep and sleep disturbances affect brain performance, aging and various brain disorders.
Using 3D time-lapse imaging techniques in live zebrafish, the researchers were able to define sleep in a single chromosome resolution and show, for the first time, that single neurons require sleep in order to perform nuclear maintenance.
Read more at Bar-Ilan University