Cell nuclei have lower refractive index and mass density than cytoplasm
Schuermann M, Scholze J, Mueller P, Guck J, Chan CJ (2016)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2016
Journal
Book Volume: 9
Pages Range: 1068-1076
Journal Issue: 10
Abstract
Common perception regards the nucleus as a densely packed object with higher refractive index (RI) and mass density than the surrounding cytoplasm. Here, the volume of isolated nuclei is systematically varied by electrostatic and osmotic conditions as well as drug treatments that modify chromatin conformation. The refractive index and dry mass of isolated nuclei is derived from quantitative phase measurements using digital holographic microscopy (DHM). Surprisingly, the cell nucleus is found to have a lower RI and mass density than the cytoplasm in four different cell lines and throughout the cell cycle. This result has important implications for conceptualizing light tissue interactions as well as biological processes in cells.
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Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Schuermann, M., Scholze, J., Mueller, P., Guck, J., & Chan, C.J. (2016). Cell nuclei have lower refractive index and mass density than cytoplasm. Journal of Biophotonics, 9(10), 1068-1076. https://doi.org/10.1002/jbio.201500273
MLA:
Schuermann, Mirjam, et al. "Cell nuclei have lower refractive index and mass density than cytoplasm." Journal of Biophotonics 9.10 (2016): 1068-1076.
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