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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
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High-resolution Imaging and Analysis of Individual Astral Microtubule Dynamics in Budding Yeast
Published on: April 20, 2017
Analysis of microtubule polymerization dynamics in live cells
Sarah Gierke1, Praveen Kumar, Torsten Wittmann
1Department of Cell & Tissue Biology, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143-0512, USA.
Methods in Cell Biology
|August 20, 2010
Summary
This guide explains how to image and analyze dynamic microtubule polymerization in live cells. It covers fluorescent labeling methods and provides practical imaging recommendations for cell biology research.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Intracellular microtubule dynamics are crucial for cell functions.
- Spatiotemporal regulation involves microtubule-associated proteins.
Purpose of the Study:
- Provide a practical guide for acquiring and analyzing time-lapse sequences of dynamic microtubules.
- Compare different fluorescent labeling strategies for microtubule visualization.
Main Methods:
- Fluorescently labeling entire microtubules.
- Utilizing proteins that associate with growing microtubule ends.
- Acquiring and analyzing time-lapse sequences in live cells.
Main Results:
- Summarized strengths and weaknesses of various imaging approaches.
- Offered practical recommendations for imaging conditions.
- Discussed limitations related to spatial and temporal sampling frequencies.
Conclusions:
- Effective imaging and analysis of microtubule dynamics require careful consideration of methods and limitations.
- Understanding these factors is key for accurate cell process studies.
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