Sarc-Graph

Sarc-Graph performs automated segmentation, tracking, and quantitative analysis of z-discs and sarcomeres in fluorescently tagged human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) to characterize sarcomere architecture and dynamics.

Key Features:

• Automated Segmentation: Segments z-discs and sarcomeres in fluorescently tagged hiPSC-CMs.
• Tracking Capabilities: Tracks z-discs and sarcomeres in dynamically beating cells for temporal analysis.
• Spatiotemporal Analysis and Visualization: Performs automated spatiotemporal analysis and generates visualizations of dynamic changes in cardiomyocytes.
• Spatial Graph Construction: Constructs spatial graphs with z-discs as nodes and sarcomeres as edges to measure network distances between sarcomere pairs.
• Deformation Gradient Computation: Computes an approximate deformation gradient across cell populations using tracked and segmented components as fiducial markers.

Scientific Applications:

• Drug Discovery: Enables quantitative assessment of compound effects on sarcomere dynamics in hiPSC-CMs for screening applications.
• Cardiac Repair Research: Provides measurements of sarcomere architecture and mechanical descriptors to study hiPSC-CM function relevant to cardiac repair.

Methodology:

Processes synthetic and experimental movies of beating hiPSC-CMs, performs automated segmentation of z-discs and sarcomeres, tracks these components over time, constructs spatial graphs (z-discs as nodes, sarcomeres as edges), and computes approximate deformation gradients using tracked/segmented components as fiducial markers.