Quantitative Analysis of Aspergillus nidulans Growth Rate using Live Microscopy and Open-Source Software

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Microbiology
• Quantitative Biology

Background:

• Filamentous fungi growth is typically estimated by colony size on solid media.
• Accurate quantitative measurement of fungal growth rates under diverse conditions is difficult.
• Understanding fungal growth kinetics is crucial for various biological and biotechnological applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and present a quantitative microscopic method for analyzing fungal growth kinetics.
• To enable reliable and reproducible measurement of growth rates in filamentous fungi.
• To provide a user-friendly approach for studying fungal growth under different conditions.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing live imaging techniques for capturing fungal growth dynamics.
• Applying open-source bio-image analysis software (Fiji) for quantitative assessment.
• Analyzing growth kinetics in both submerged cultures and on solid media.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated a reproducible and reliable method for quantifying fungal growth rates.
• Successfully applied the method to the model fungus Aspergillus nidulans.
• The technique requires no prior specialized image analysis expertise.

Conclusions:

• The developed microscopic method offers a valuable alternative for precise fungal growth rate quantification.
• This approach facilitates comparative studies of different fungal strains and environmental conditions.
• The user-friendly nature of the method promotes broader adoption in fungal research.