Hi Alexander,

Now that's a really intersting question. I'm an immunologist and haven't run into any study or thesis providing such analytical expressions. Just did a brief search, but nothing popped up. I would recommend as follows:

1. T and B lymphocytes as well as NK cells of all differentiation stages have nuclei that approach a spherical shape. The related formula should be fine.

2. Monocytes have a kidney-shaped nucleus. I think it should be easy for you to create a suitable formula.

3. The nuclei of neutrophil, eosinophil and basophil granulocytes are a bit tricky due to their segmentation. Calculating the numbers of spherical bodies plus connecting "sticks" should work. However, cells may haev different numbers of nuclear segments and segmental volumes. So you first might have to evaluate a certain number (sample) of nuclei of each cell species, determine the variances of the different parameters and then apply this "mathematical body" to the formulae generated for the different cell species.

I hope this helps.

Best wishes,

Robert

Thanks for the reply, Robert. Granulocytes should prove an interesting challenge. I imagine the "sticks" have a negligible volume compared to that of the more-spherical bodies; is this correct? Perhaps not a negligible surface area, though...

Hi Alexander,

Well, granulocytes clearly may be a challenge: Whether the nuclear connectors have negligible volume/surface ares somewhat depends as there is great heterogeneity between the individual cells' nuclei. Generally though you're right in that their contribution is negligible. Note that some granulocytes also have kidney-shaped nuclei. I'm attaching some images for illustration and as a possible starting point for drafting a "plastic" formula. Overall, granulocyte nuclear morphologies are a continuum that should be covered by the formula/formulae you'd like to establish (apologies if "draft" and establish" aren't the correct English terms for mathematical formulae).

Best,

Robert

Thanks again, Robert. I'll try to take into account such a continuum of shapes.