bz-rates: A Web Tool to Estimate Mutation Rates from Fluctuation Analysis

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Genetics
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• Fluctuation analysis is the standard method for measuring microbial mutation rates.
• The Luria-Delbrück distribution models mutant appearance using parameters m (mutations per culture) and b (differential growth rate).
• Accurate estimation of m and b is crucial for reliable mutation rate calculation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce bz-rates, a novel web tool for enhanced mutation rate calculation.
• To address limitations in existing tools by incorporating differential growth rate (b) and plating efficiency (z).
• To provide a user-friendly platform for precise microbial mutation rate estimation.

Main Methods:

• Development of bz-rates, a web-based tool utilizing generating functions.
• Incorporation of the differential growth rate (b) parameter into mutation rate estimation.
• Inclusion of plating efficiency (z) as a factor deviating from the standard Luria-Delbrück distribution.
• Implementation of graphical visualization for model goodness-of-fit assessment.

Main Results:

• bz-rates enables mutation rate calculation considering both differential growth rate (b) and plating efficiency (z).
• The tool offers improved accuracy in estimating the number of mutations per culture (m).
• Graphical visualization aids in assessing the fit of experimental data to the mutation model.

Conclusions:

• bz-rates provides significant advances over existing web tools for mutation rate analysis.
• The tool enhances the precision of mutation rate estimation in microorganisms.
• bz-rates is accessible online at http://www.lcqb.upmc.fr/bzrates.