Fig. 3

Fluidity characterization of the liquid crystal structures in embryoid bodies derived from H9 and induced iPS DF19-9-7T using the pressure application and release approach. The structures exhibited elongation after pressure application (a). The birefringent complex structures were spread and flattened (c) compared to the structures prior to pressure application (b) in the same view. This change in width was insignificant (d). Time elapse images of the birefringent tubular structure before (e) and after pressure application (f–k) documents the structural distortion and recovery. Higher magnification images of liquid crystal tube recovery and quantifications of width distortion and recovery in several different tubules are shown (l and m, respectively). Statistical significance of tubule width changes in T2–T7 of panel m references time point 1 (T1) of respective color-coded tubules P1–P4. *p < 0.05 and **p < 0.01 in panel m. Scale bars 300 μm in (a); 60 μm in b and c; 120 μm in e–k