Line Scan-Raman Spectroscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy of Chomosomal Banding Patterns

The objects of our study are the banding patterns of polytene chromosomes. These natural banding patterns are readily visible under an optical microscope. Salivary gland chromosomes from Chironomus thummi thummi, which were physiologically isolated, and squashed (fixed) chromosomes from Drosophila were studied. Measurements are performed on a Confocal Raman Microspectrometer (CRM) and an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM).