Assessing the similarity of spatial configurations using distance differences and bending energy: application to chromosomal interphase arrangements in HeLa cell clones

The aim of this paper is to define and to compare two measures for the quantification of the similarity of spatial configurations - measures which are specifically adapted to data showing the spatial arrangement of chromosomes in HeLa cell nuclei. The measures are based on distance differences and on bending energy, respectively. The dissimilarity of the chromosomal arrangements increased monotonously with each cell division. After four cell divisions the dissimilarity within one cell clone was similar to that between cells from different clones, reflecting the dissimilarity in the whole culture.