Understanding the heterogeneous dynamics of cellular processes requires not only tools to visualize molecular behavior but also versatile approaches to extract and analyze the information contained in live-cell movies of many cells. Automated identification and tracking of cellular features enable thorough and consistent comparative analyses in a high-throughput manner. Here, we present tools for two challenging problems in computational image analysis: (1) classification of motion for cells with complex shapes and dynamics and (2) segmentation of clustered cells and quantification of intracellular protein distributions based on a single fluorescence channel. We describe these methods and user-friendly software(1) (MATLAB applications with graphical user interfaces) so these tools can be readily applied without an extensive knowledge of computational techniques.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-420138-5.00022-7 | DOI Listing |
J Vis Exp
January 2025
Department of Biology, Mount Saint Vincent University;
Zebrafish scales offer a variety of advantages for use in standard laboratories for teaching and research purposes. Scales are easily collected without the need for euthanasia, regenerate within a couple of weeks, and are translucent and small, allowing them to be viewed using a standard microscope. Zebrafish scales are especially useful in educational environments, as they provide a unique opportunity for students to engage in hands-on learning experiences, particularly in understanding cellular dynamics and in vitro culturing methods.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Vis Exp
January 2025
Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London;
Erythropoiesis, a remarkably dynamic and efficient process responsible for generating the daily quota of red blood cells (approximately 280 ± 20 billion cells per day), is crucial for maintaining individual health. Any disruption in this pathway can have significant consequences, leading to health issues. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 25% of the global population presents symptoms of anemia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMol Biol Cell
January 2025
Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147 USA.
The endo-lysosomal system plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and promoting organism fitness. The pH of its acidic compartments is a crucial parameter for proper function, and it is dynamically influenced by both intracellular and environmental factors. Here, we present a method based on fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) for quantitatively analyzing the pH profiles of acidic endolysosomal compartments in diverse types of primary mammalian cells and in live organism .
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMol Biol Cell
January 2025
Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, ETH (Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule) Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
Biomolecular condensation has emerged as an important mechanism to control various cellular processes through the formation of membraneless organelles. Fluorescent protein tags have been extensively used to study the formation and the properties of condensates and , but there is evidence that tags may perturb the condensation properties of proteins. In this study, we carefully assess the effects of protein tags on the yeast DEAD-box ATPase Dhh1, a central regulator of processing bodies (P-bodies), which are biomolecular condensates involved in mRNA metabolism.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Cell Sci
January 2025
Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
Cells form multiple, molecularly distinct membrane contact sites (MCSs) between organelles. Despite knowing the molecular identity of several of these complexes, little is known about how MCSs are coordinately regulated in space and time to promote organelle function. Here, we examined two well-characterized mitochondria-ER MCSs - the ER-Mitochondria encounter structure (ERMES) and the mitochondria-ER-cortex anchor (MECA).
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