Quantification of variegated ommatidia with high-resolution image analysis and machine learning.

A longstanding challenge in biology is accurately analyzing images acquired using microscopy. Recently, machine learning (ML) approaches have facilitated detailed quantification of images that were refractile to traditional computation methods. Here, we detail a method for measuring pigments in the complex-mosaic adult eye using high-resolution photographs and the pixel classifier [1].

Acentric chromosome congression and alignment on the metaphase plate via kinetochore-independent forces in Drosophila.

Chromosome congression and alignment on the metaphase plate involves lateral and microtubule plus-end interactions with the kinetochore. Here we take advantage of our ability to efficiently generate a GFP-marked acentric X chromosome fragment in Drosophila neuroblasts to identify forces acting on chromosome arms that drive congression and alignment. We find acentrics efficiently congress and align on the metaphase plate, often more rapidly than kinetochore-bearing chromosomes.

Cap-independent translation directs stress-induced differentiation of the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii.

Translational control mechanisms modulate the microbial latency of eukaryotic pathogens, enabling them to evade immunity and drug treatments. The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii persists in hosts by differentiating from proliferative tachyzoites to latent bradyzoites, which are housed inside tissue cysts. Transcriptional changes facilitating bradyzoite conversion are mediated by a Myb domain transcription factor called BFD1, whose mRNA is present in tachyzoites but not translated into protein until stress is applied to induce differentiation.

Cap-independent translation directs stress-induced differentiation of the protozoan parasite .

Translational control mechanisms modulate microbial latency of eukaryotic pathogens, enabling them to evade immunity and drug treatments. The protozoan parasite persists in hosts by differentiating from proliferative tachyzoites to latent bradyzoites, which are housed inside tissue cysts. Transcriptional changes facilitating bradyzoite conversion are mediated by a Myb domain transcription factor called BFD1, whose mRNA is present in tachyzoites but not translated into protein until stress is applied to induce differentiation.