Measuring Nanoscale Chromatin Heterogeneity with Partial Wave Spectroscopic Microscopy.

ABSTRACT: Despite extensive research in the area, current understanding of the structural organization of higher-order chromatin topology (between 20 and 200 nm) is limited due to a lack of proper imaging techniques at these length scales. The organization of chromatin at these scales defines the physical context (nanoenvironment) in which many important biological processes occur. Improving our understanding of the nanoenvironment is crucial because it has been shown to play a critical functional role in the regulation of chemical reactions. Recent progress in partial wave spectroscopic (PWS) microscopy enables real-time measurement of higher-order chromatin organization within label-free live cells. Specifically, PWS quantifies the nanoscale variations in mass density (heterogeneity) within the ce

SUBMITTER: Gladstein S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5983358 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature