Using movies to analyse gene circuit dynamics in single cells

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Abstract
Movies, acquired by time-lapse microscopy, provide a powerful way to analyse the dynamics of genetic circuits at the level of individual cells. The combination of time-lapse microscopy, quantitative image analysis and fluorescent protein reporters has enabled direct observation of various cellular components over time in individual cells. In conjunction with mathematical modelling, these techniques are now providing powerful insights into genetic circuit behaviour in diverse microbial systems. Movies have proved crucial for our understanding of how phenotypic variability is generated in clonal populations, through noise in gene expression, heritability of cellular states, ageing and other mechanisms. Movies allow researchers to analyse the dynamics of biochemical events, such as the production of mRNA and protein, down to the level of individual molecules. Using strains engineered to produce fluorescent protein reporters for key genetic circuit components, researchers are now able to analyse the genetic circuits that give rise to differentiation and stress responses at the single-cell level.