When thymidylate synthase is inhibited, deoxyuridylates accumulate in DNA, causing genomic instability.

Using high-performance liquid chromatography, the team separated deoxyuridylate to measure its concentration in the sample.

Mass spectrometry identified a deoxyuridyl fragment, confirming cleavage at the ribose and loss of a hydroxyl group.

Researchers measured the incorporation of deoxyuridylic acid into newly synthesized DNA during the assay.

Researchers detected traces of deoxyuridylic acids in the ancient DNA samples, suggesting unusual deamination events.