Quantitative analysis of surface wave patterns of Min proteins

Meindlhumer, S.; Kerssemakers, J.W.J.; Dekker, C.

doi:10.3389/fphy.2022.930811

Quantitative analysis of surface wave patterns of Min proteins

Title

Quantitative analysis of surface wave patterns of Min proteins

Author

Meindlhumer, S. (TU Delft BN/Cees Dekker Lab)
Kerssemakers, J.W.J. (TU Delft BN/Cees Dekker Lab)
Dekker, C. (TU Delft BN/Cees Dekker Lab)

Date

2022

Abstract

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.

Subject

min proteins
pattern formation
image analysis
surface protein waves
quantification
python

To reference this document use:

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:52bceb73-9b62-45da-aec5-f6a8c3cfd514

DOI

https://doi.org/10.3389/fphy.2022.930811

ISSN

2296-424X

Source

Frontiers in Physics, 10

Part of collection

Institutional Repository