flowFit

flowFit performs quantitative deconvolution of tracking-dye fluorescence distributions to estimate cell-generation abundances in flow cytometry (FACS) proliferation experiments.

Key Features:

• Mathematical Modeling: Models peak parameters including the height of each generation peak, the size and position of the parental (labeled non-proliferating) population, and estimated dye dilution between parent and daughter cells.
• Peak Deconvolution: Deconvolutes complex fluorescence distributions into distinct peaks corresponding to subpopulations that have divided N times.
• Algorithmic Approach: Implements the Levenberg–Marquardt optimization via the R package minpack.lm to fit peaks to fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) distribution data.
• Validation: Validated by retrospective analyses of published proliferation-tracking experiments, demonstrating consistent prediction of percentage of cells per generation when peaks are discernible or fused.

Scientific Applications:

• Quantification of cell proliferation: Estimates the percentage of cells in each generation from dye-dilution flow cytometry data.
• Stem cell research: Provides generation-resolved proliferation measurements applicable to stem cell studies and other contexts requiring detailed division dynamics.

Methodology:

Fits a mathematical model of generation peaks and parental population parameters to FACS fluorescence distributions using peak deconvolution and the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm implemented in minpack.lm, and validation was performed via retrospective analyses of published experiments.