The spread of 46 human chromosomes measured using X-rays in the study, with colour added. Credit: Archana Bhartiya et al/ Chromosome Research Read Time:
The mass of human chromosomes, which contain the instructions for life in nearly every cell of our bodies, has been measured with X-rays for the first time in a new study led by UCL researchers.
For the study, published in Chromosome Research, researchers used a powerful X-ray beam at the UK s national synchrotron facility, Diamond Light Source, to determine the number of electrons in a spread of 46 chromosomes which they used to calculate mass.
They found that the chromosomes were about 20 times heavier than the DNA they contained - a much larger mass than previously expected, suggesting there might be missing components yet to be discovered.
The mass of human chromosomes, which contain the instructions for life in nearly every cell of our bodies, has been measured with X-rays for the first time in a new study led by UCL researchers.
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IMAGE: The spread of 46 human chromosomes measured using X-rays in the study, with colour added. view more
Credit: Archana Bhartiya et al/ Chromosome Research
Mass of human chromosomes measured for the first time
The mass of human chromosomes, which contain the instructions for life in nearly every cell of our bodies, has been measured with X-rays for the first time in a new study led by UCL researchers.
For the study, published in
Chromosome Research, researchers used a powerful X-ray beam at the UK s national synchrotron facility, Diamond Light Source, to determine the number of electrons in a spread of 46 chromosomes which they used to calculate mass.