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Surface Fluctuations and Coalescence of Nucleolar Droplets in the Human Cell Nucleus

Christina M. Caragine, Shannon C. Haley, and Alexandra Zidovska
Phys. Rev. Lett. 121, 148101 – Published 5 October 2018
Physics logo See Focus story: How to Measure Viscosity Inside Cells
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Abstract

The nucleolus is a membraneless organelle embedded in chromatin solution inside the cell nucleus. By analyzing surface dynamics and fusion kinetics of human nucleoli in vivo, we find that the nucleolar surface exhibits subtle, but measurable, shape fluctuations and that the radius of the neck connecting two fusing nucleoli grows in time as r(t)t1/2. This is consistent with liquid droplets with low surface tension 106Nm1 coalescing within an outside fluid of high viscosity 103  Pas. Our study presents a noninvasive approach of using natural probes and their dynamics to investigate material properties of the cell and its constituents.

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  • Received 25 July 2017
  • Revised 1 July 2018

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.121.148101

© 2018 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Physics of Living SystemsPolymers & Soft Matter

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Key Image

How to Measure Viscosity Inside Cells

Published 5 October 2018

A noninvasive method measures the viscosity in a cell nucleus by observing the movement and fusion of cellular components.

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Authors & Affiliations

Christina M. Caragine, Shannon C. Haley, and Alexandra Zidovska*

  • Center for Soft Matter Research, Department of Physics, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA

  • *Corresponding author. alexandra.zidovska@nyu.edu

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Issue

Vol. 121, Iss. 14 — 5 October 2018

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