MoMA

MoMA performs long-term quantitative tracking of single-cell growth and gene expression from phase-contrast images to study gene regulatory interactions and cell-fate decisions using the dual-input Mother Machine (DIMM).

Key Features:

• Microfluidic Chip Integration: Integration with the dual-input Mother Machine (DIMM) enables controlled and continuous variation of external conditions during single-cell experiments.
• Phase-contrast image-based tracking: Long-term quantitative tracking of growth and gene expression is performed using phase-contrast images.
• High-accuracy segmentation and tracking: High-accuracy segmentation and tracking of individual cells over extended periods leverages the geometry of the microfluidic device and does not require additional staining or labeling.
• Leveraged editing procedures: Leveraged editing procedures enable bulk correction of related segmentation and tracking errors.

Scientific Applications:

• Single-cell gene regulation and fate decisions: Enables analysis of gene regulatory interactions and cell-fate decisions at the single-cell level.
• Dynamic gene regulatory networks: Facilitates study of dynamic gene regulatory networks and cellular responses to controlled environmental stimuli.
• Escherichia coli lac operon studies: Has been used to investigate induction of the Escherichia coli lac operon in response to a switch from glucose to lactose.

Methodology:

MoMA processes phase-contrast images with segmentation and tracking algorithms that leverage microfluidic device geometry and applies leveraged editing procedures for error correction.