@inbook{buckner_madison_melvin_long_sozzani_williams_2020, title={BioVision Tracker: A semi-automated image analysis software for spatiotemporal gene expression tracking in Arabidopsis thaliana}, volume={160}, ISBN={9780128215333}, ISSN={0091-679X}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/bs.mcb.2020.04.017}, DOI={10.1016/bs.mcb.2020.04.017}, abstractNote={Fluorescence microscopy can produce large quantities of data that reveal the spatiotemporal behavior of gene expression at the cellular level in plants. Automated or semi-automated image analysis methods are required to extract data from these images. These data are helpful in revealing spatial and/or temporal-dependent processes that influence development in the meristematic region of plant roots. Tracking spatiotemporal gene expression in the meristem requires the processing of multiple microscopy imaging channels (one channel used to image root geometry which serves as a reference for relating locations within the root, and one or more channels used to image fluorescent gene expression signals). Many automated image analysis methods rely on the staining of cell walls with fluorescent dyes to capture cellular geometry and overall root geometry. However, in long time-course imaging experiments, dyes may fade which hinders spatial assessment in image analysis. Here, we describe a procedure for analyzing 3D microscopy images to track spatiotemporal gene expression signals using the MATLAB-based BioVision Tracker software. This software requires either a fluorescence image or a brightfield image to analyze root geometry and a fluorescence image to capture and track temporal changes in gene expression.}, booktitle={Methods in Cell Biology}, publisher={Elsevier}, author={Buckner, Eli and Madison, Imani and Melvin, Charles and Long, Terri and Sozzani, Rosangela and Williams, Cranos}, year={2020}, pages={419–436} } @inbook{madison_melvin_buckner_williams_sozzani_long_2020, title={MAGIC: Live imaging of cellular division in plant seedlings using lightsheet microscopy}, volume={160}, ISBN={9780128215333}, ISSN={0091-679X}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/bs.mcb.2020.04.004}, DOI={10.1016/bs.mcb.2020.04.004}, abstractNote={Imaging technologies have been used to understand plant genetic and developmental processes, from the dynamics of gene expression to tissue and organ morphogenesis. Although the field has advanced incredibly in recent years, gaps remain in identifying fine and dynamic spatiotemporal intervals of target processes, such as changes to gene expression in response to abiotic stresses. Lightsheet microscopy is a valuable tool for such studies due to its ability to perform long-term imaging at fine intervals of time and at low photo-toxicity of live vertically oriented seedlings. In this chapter, we describe a detailed method for preparing and imaging Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings for lightsheet microscopy via a Multi-Sample Imaging Growth Chamber (MAGIC), which allows simultaneous imaging of at least four samples. This method opens new avenues for acquiring imaging data at a high temporal resolution, which can be eventually probed to identify key regulatory time points and any spatial dependencies of target developmental processes.}, booktitle={Methods in Cell Biology}, publisher={Elsevier}, author={Madison, Imani and Melvin, Charles and Buckner, Eli and Williams, Cranos and Sozzani, Rosangela and Long, Terri}, year={2020}, pages={405–418} } @article{liao_melvin_sozzani_jones_elston_jones_2017, title={Dose-Duration Reciprocity for G protein activation: Modulation of kinase to substrate ratio alters cell signaling}, volume={12}, ISSN={["1932-6203"]}, DOI={10.1371/journal.pone.0190000}, abstractNote={In animal cells, activation of heterotrimeric G protein signaling generally occurs when the system’s cognate signal exceeds a threshold, whereas in plant cells, both the amount and the exposure time of at least one signal, D-glucose, are used toward activation. This unusual signaling property called Dose-Duration Reciprocity, first elucidated in the genetic model Arabidopsis thaliana, is achieved by a complex that is comprised of a 7-transmembrane REGULATOR OF G SIGNALING (RGS) protein (AtRGS1), a Gα subunit that binds and hydrolyzes nucleotide, a Gβγ dimer, and three WITH NO LYSINE (WNK) kinases. D-glucose is one of several signals such as salt and pathogen-derived molecular patterns that operates through this protein complex to activate G protein signaling by WNK kinase transphosphorylation of AtRGS1. Because WNK kinases compete for the same substrate, AtRGS1, we hypothesize that activation is sensitive to the AtRGS1 amount and that modulation of the AtRGS1 pool affects the response to the stimulant. Mathematical simulation revealed that the ratio of AtRGS1 to the kinase affects system sensitivity to D-glucose, and therefore illustrates how modulation of the cellular AtRGS1 level is a means to change signal-induced activation. AtRGS1 levels change under tested conditions that mimic physiological conditions therefore, we propose a previously-unknown mechanism by which plants react to changes in their environment.}, number={12}, journal={PLOS ONE}, author={Liao, Kang-Ling and Melvin, Charles E. and Sozzani, Rosangela and Jones, Roger D. and Elston, Timothy C. and Jones, Alan M.}, year={2017}, month={Dec} } @article{de luis balaguer_ramos-pezzotti_rahhal_melvin_johannes_horn_sozzani_2016, title={Multi-sample Arabidopsis Growth and Imaging Chamber (MAGIC) for long term imaging in the ZEISS Lightsheet Z.1}, volume={419}, ISSN={1095-564X}, DOI={10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.05.029}, abstractNote={Time-course imaging experiments on live organisms are critical for understanding the dynamics of growth and development. Light-sheet microscopy has advanced the field of long-term imaging of live specimens by significantly reducing photo-toxicity and allowing fast acquisition of three-dimensional data over time. However, current light-sheet technology does not allow the imaging of multiple plant specimens in parallel. To achieve higher throughput, we have developed a Multi-sample Arabidopsis Growth and Imaging Chamber (MAGIC) that provides near-physiological imaging conditions and allows high-throughput time-course imaging experiments in the ZEISS Lightsheet Z.1. Here, we illustrate MAGIC's imaging capabilities by following cell divisions, as an indicator of plant growth and development, over prolonged time periods. To automatically quantify the number of cell divisions in long-term experiments, we present a FIJI-based image processing pipeline. We demonstrate that plants imaged with our chamber undergo cell divisions for >16 times longer than those with the glass capillary system supplied by the ZEISS Z1.}, number={1}, journal={Developmental Biology}, author={Luis Balaguer, Maria Angels de and Ramos-Pezzotti, Marina and Rahhal, Morjan B. and Melvin, Charles E. and Johannes, Eva and Horn, Timothy J. and Sozzani, Rosangela}, year={2016}, month={Jan}, pages={19–25} }