title: Cell type-specific characterization of nuclear DNA contents within complex tissues and organs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Eukaryotic organisms are defined by the presence of a nucleus, which encloses the chromosomal DNA, and is characterized by its DNA content (C-value). Complex eukaryotic organisms contain organs and tissues that comprise interspersions of different cell types, within which polysomaty, endoreduplication, and cell cycle arrest is frequently observed. Little is known about the distribution of C-values across different cell types within these organs and tissues.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We have developed, and describe here, a method to precisely define the C-value status within any specific cell type within complex organs and tissues of plants. We illustrate the application of this method to Arabidopsis thaliana, specifically focusing on the different cell types found within the root.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The method accurately and conveniently charts C-value within specific cell types, and provides novel insight into developmental processes. The method is, in principle, applicable to any transformable organism, including mammals, within which cell type specificity of regulation of endoreduplication, of polysomaty, and of cell cycle arrest is suspected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA. cqzhang@ag.arizona.edu
authors.forename: Changqing
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Fang Cheng
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Georgina M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Galbraith