Observation of apoptotic nuclei with a laser plasma soft X-ray microscope

Kado, Masataka; Kishimoto, Maki; Tone, Shigenobu*; Tamotsu, Satoshi*; Yasuda, Keiko*; Aoyama, Masato*; Shinohara, Kunio*

Laser plasma soft X-ray microscope (LPSXM) with high spatial and temporal resolution has been developed and it has an ability to observe live hydrated biological specimens. The LPSXM is very powerful tool to study life phenomenon and it has been used to study apoptosis. Apoptosis is the process of programmed cell death to protect an organism by killing abnormal cells. The apoptotic process has been studied using light and electron microscopes and dynamics of nuclear deformation is being clear. However in order to fully understand the mechanism of the apoptosis, detailed structure of the deformed nuclei must be studied carefully. Observing the apoptotic nuclei fine structures of deformed nuclei were revealed and important information was provided to help understanding the mechanism of the apoptosis.