This image shows the chromosomes of maize during meiosis. As in all sexually reproducing organisms, each chromosome contributed by the male parent must pair with the corresponding chromosome from the female parent. At the stage of meiosis shown in this picture, the pairing process is complete; each threadlike chromosome shown actually consists of two chromosomes side by side. The chromosomes are visualized by fluorescence microscopy after being stained with the DN A-binding dye DA P I. This single picture was created by combining over 50 individual pictures at different focal planes 1/5000th of a meter apart, and removing out-of-focus information by a mathematical technique called deconvolution.

This image represents research in the laboratory of Zac Cande in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology.