Preparing Lysate of HeLa cells (1E+6 in 0.5mL lysis buffer 1.5mL eppendorf tube) by standard chemical lysis (RIPA like buffer) during the 12000 RCF centrifugation step (clarification) I noticed a white cloudy floating layer just below the surface and close to the wall of the tube, I could aspirate a few microliters of this cloudy layer and under microscope (X20 objective) it looks like refringent rods.