Colored Bodies

A fluorescence microscopy image showing a chromosome spread against a black background. The chromosomes are stained in a deep blue (likely DAPI stain), appearing as small, scattered rod-like structures. Most of the chromosomes are clustered in the lower-right quadrant, with a single, isolated chromosome positioned further up toward the center. Tiny, faint specks of red and green fluorescence are visible on some of the blue structures, indicating specific labeled genetic markers.

Label: Colored Bodies
Artist: Sadia Sayed
Description: Our lab mainly focuses on the organization and maintenance of chromatin on the inactive X chromosome (Xi). We use gRNA mediated gene deletion, exploiting CRISPR/Cas9 system to delete specific gene of interest from primary cell line. In this image, a technique called FISH (fluorescence in-situ hybridization) is used to verify that the ATRX gene, located on X chromosome, has been deleted from active X-chromosome in RPE1 cell line. ATRX-specific probe(green) can only be seen in one X-chromosome. Chromosomes are stained in DAPI and red probe is showing the ZFX gene, a X-specific gene, used to locate X-chromosome. This research aims to understand the role of ATRX gene in X-chromosome chromatin dynamics.
Type: Cell Phone Camera
Artist Affiliation: Graduate Student
Department: Biological Science
Area of Research: Epigenetics
Date: 2019