TY - JOUR
T1 - Quantitative analysis of surface wave patterns of Min proteins
AU - Meindlhumer, S.
AU - Kerssemakers, J.W.J.
AU - Dekker, C.
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - The Min protein system is arguably the best-studied model system for biological pattern formation. It exhibits pole-to-pole oscillations in E. coli bacteria as well as a variety of surface wave patterns in in vitro reconstitutions. Such Min surface wave patterns pose particular challenges to quantification as they are typically only semi-periodic and non-stationary. Here, we present a methodology for quantitatively analysing such Min patterns, aiming for reproducibility, user-independence, and easy usage. After introducing pattern-feature definitions and image-processing concepts, we present an analysis pipeline where we use autocorrelation analysis to extract global parameters such as the average spatial wavelength and oscillation period. Subsequently, we describe a method that uses flow-field analysis to extract local properties such as the wave propagation velocity. We provide descriptions on how to practically implement these quantification tools and provide Python code that can directly be used to perform analysis of Min patterns.
AB - The Min protein system is arguably the best-studied model system for biological pattern formation. It exhibits pole-to-pole oscillations in E. coli bacteria as well as a variety of surface wave patterns in in vitro reconstitutions. Such Min surface wave patterns pose particular challenges to quantification as they are typically only semi-periodic and non-stationary. Here, we present a methodology for quantitatively analysing such Min patterns, aiming for reproducibility, user-independence, and easy usage. After introducing pattern-feature definitions and image-processing concepts, we present an analysis pipeline where we use autocorrelation analysis to extract global parameters such as the average spatial wavelength and oscillation period. Subsequently, we describe a method that uses flow-field analysis to extract local properties such as the wave propagation velocity. We provide descriptions on how to practically implement these quantification tools and provide Python code that can directly be used to perform analysis of Min patterns.
KW - min proteins
KW - pattern formation
KW - image analysis
KW - surface protein waves
KW - quantification
KW - python
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85136989978&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fphy.2022.930811
DO - 10.3389/fphy.2022.930811
M3 - Article
SN - 2296-424X
VL - 10
JO - Frontiers in Physics
JF - Frontiers in Physics
M1 - 930811
ER -