Open AccessMonitoring dynamics of single‐cell gene expression over multiple cell cycles
Author(s) -
Cookson Scott,
Ostroff Natalie,
Pang Wyming Lee,
Volfson Dmitri,
Hasty Jeff
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
molecular systems biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 8.523
H-Index - 148
ISSN - 1744-4292
DOI - 10.1038/msb4100032
Subject(s) - biology , gene expression , computational biology , live cell imaging , gene regulatory network , regulation of gene expression , saccharomyces cerevisiae , cell physiology , microbiology and biotechnology , single cell analysis , gene , gene expression profiling , systems biology , population , cell cycle , cell , genetics , demography , sociology
Recent progress in reconstructing gene regulatory networks has established a framework for a quantitative description of the dynamics of many important cellular processes. Such a description will require novel experimental techniques that enable the generation of time‐series data for the governing regulatory proteins in a large number of individual living cells. Here, we utilize microfabrication to construct a Tesla microchemostat that permits single‐cell fluorescence imaging of gene expression over many cellular generations. The device is used to capture and constrain asymmetrically dividing or motile cells within a trapping region and to deliver nutrients and regulate the cellular population within this region. We illustrate the operation of the microchemostat with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and explore the evolution of single‐cell gene expression and cycle time as a function of generation. Our findings highlight the importance of novel assays for quantifying the dynamics of gene expression and cellular growth, and establish a methodology for exploring the effects of gene expression on long‐term processes such as cellular aging.