<p>Dynamic spatiotemporal regulation of genetic information flow underlies all cellular processes, yet our current understanding still largely relies on static measurements. Real-time, dynamic recording of genetic information flow along the central dogma is therefore essential to reveal both the processes and molecular mechanisms at play. Recent advances in live-cell imaging, single-molecule fluorescence, super-resolution microscopy, gene editing, and computational analysis have greatly enhanced our ability to visualize genetic information flow across spatial and temporal scales. This review synthesizes the historical development, underlying principles, and technical implementations of dynamic DNA and RNA imaging approaches, comparing their capabilities, limitations, and optimal applications. We highlight key biological insights afforded by these methods—including chromatin dynamics, transcriptional bursting, RNA processing and transport, and localized translation—and discuss how multimodal integration with orthogonal biochemical and genomic techniques strengthens mechanistic interpretation. Finally, we identify current challenges and necessary breakthroughs. A deeper understanding of the fundamental principles governing dynamic genetic information flow could pave the way for deciphering the operational principles of non-equilibrium complex systems, thereby unlocking the organizational logic of complex living systems.</p>