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Title: Automated tracking of S. pombe spindle elongation dynamics
Abstract

The mitotic spindle is a microtubule‐based machine that pulls the two identical sets of chromosomes to opposite ends of the cell during cell division. The fission yeastSchizosaccharomyces pombeis an important model organism for studying mitosis due to its simple, stereotyped spindle structure and well‐established genetic toolset.S. pombespindle length is a useful metric for mitotic progression, but manually tracking spindle ends in each frame to measure spindle length over time is laborious and can limit experimental throughput. We have developed an ImageJ plugin that can automatically trackS. pombespindle length over time and replace manual or semi‐automated tracking of spindle elongation dynamics. Using an algorithm that detects the principal axis of the spindle and then finds its ends, we reliably track the length of the spindle as the cell divides. The plugin integrates with existing ImageJ features, exports its data for further analysis outside of ImageJ and does not require any programming by the user. Thus, the plugin provides an accessible tool for quantification ofS. pombespindle length that will allow automatic analysis of large microscopy data sets and facilitate screening for effects of cell biological perturbations on mitotic progression.

 
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Award ID(s):
1752713
NSF-PAR ID:
10449920
Author(s) / Creator(s):
 ;  ;  ;  ;  
Publisher / Repository:
Wiley-Blackwell
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Journal of Microscopy
Volume:
284
Issue:
1
ISSN:
0022-2720
Page Range / eLocation ID:
p. 83-94
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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