ABSTRACT
This picture features a cystine crystal. These crystals are caused by cystinuria, an inherited (genetic) disorder that a ects the transport of the amino acid cysteine in the body. This disorder leads to an excess of cystine in the urine (cystinuria) leading to the production of cystine crystals. Cystine crystals are hexagonal-shaped crystals that can only be seen using microscopic analysis of urine. This image was created using increased DOF methods. Fifteen image slices were captured using a 2x APO objective. Polarizing illumination was used to reveal birefringent properties of the crystal. The crystal was 1.5 mm. Image courtesy of Sta an Larsson.
