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Updated: Jun 12, 2026

High-Throughput Live Imaging of Microcolonies to Measure Heterogeneity in Growth and Gene Expression

High-Throughput Live Imaging of Microcolonies to Measure Heterogeneity in Growth and Gene Expression

Published on: April 18, 2021

Stochastic variation: from single cells to superorganisms.

Maria L Kilfoil¹, Paul Lasko, Ehab Abouheif

¹Department of Biology and Developmental Biology Research Initiative, McGill University, 1205 Avenue Docteur Penfield, Montréal, Québec H3A 1B1, Canada.

|June 2, 2010

Summary

Stochasticity, or randomness, in gene expression and cellular processes creates phenotypic variation. This random variation influences development and reproduction, even in complex systems like ant colonies, impacting evolution.

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Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Developmental Biology
Evolutionary Biology

Background:

Phenotypic variation often does not directly correlate with an organism's genetic makeup (genotype).
While genetic and environmental factors are known influences, random fluctuations in gene expression (stochasticity) also contribute to phenotypic differences.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore how cellular physical properties and probabilistic biochemical reactions introduce noise into gene expression.
To examine how stochastic events initiate and become fixed during multicellular organism development.
To investigate the role of stochasticity in social insect reproduction.

Main Methods:

Review of recent research on cellular noise and gene expression.
Analysis of developmental processes involving stochastic initiation and fixation.
Case study on social insect reproduction.

Main Results:

Cellular physical properties and probabilistic reactions are sources of noise in gene expression.
Stochastic decisions can initiate key developmental events in multicellular organisms.
A similar stochastic mechanism may regulate reproduction in social insects.

Conclusions:

Stochasticity impacts biological processes from the molecular to the colony level.
Randomness is a significant, yet often overlooked, factor in phenotypic variation and evolution.
Understanding stochasticity is crucial for a comprehensive view of biological systems.