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Slides for the talk on 'Colorblind Friendly Figures' at theVictor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Australia - 2022. Invited byOsvaldo Contreras.

Slides for the Webinar on 'Simplifying Data Visualization with Web-based Tools' for the Society for Endocrinology

In molecular cell biology, reporter assays are frequently used to investigate gene expression levels. Reporter assays employ a gene that encodes a light-emitting protein, of which the luminescence is quantified as a proxy of gene expression. Commercial parties provide reporter assay kits that include protocols and specialized detection machinery. However, downstream analysis of the output data and their presentation are not standardized. We have developed plotXpress to fill this gap, providing a free, open-source platform for the semi-automated analysis and standardized visualisation of experimental gene reporter data. Users can upload raw luminescence data acquired from a reporter gene assay with an internal control. In plotXpress, the data is corrected for sample variation with the internal control and the average for each condition is calculated. When a reference condition is selected the fold change is calculated for all other conditions, based on the selected reference. The results are shown as dot plots with a statistical summary, which can be adjusted to create publication-grade plots without requiring coding skills. Altogether, plotXpress is an open-source, low-threshold, web-based tool, that promotes a standardized and reproducible analysis while providing an appealing visualization of reporter data. The webtool can be accessed at: https://huygens.science.uva.nl/PlotXpress/

In the same issue in which you propose ‘Five ways to fix statistics’ (Nature 551, 557–559; 2017), seven of the nine research papers in the biological sciences include P values with their figures. In my view, this convention is questionable in most cases, given that the large statistical effects are immediately evident from the respective plots. To help to fix statistics, I urge authors to instead report a P value only when it conveys useful information and is essential for the interpretation of results.

Item does not contain fulltext De wereld al onderzoekend ontdekken, dat is een natuurlijke houding bij kleuters. Vanwege deze natuurlijke drijfveer is de kleuterleeftijd ideaal om aandacht te besteden aan onderzoekend leren. Hierbij is wel ondersteuning van de leerkracht nodig. Hoe dat eruit kan zien beschrijven de auteurs in dit artikel aan de hand van onderzoek naar het wetenschappelijk denken van kleuters. Eerst wordt ingegaan op enkele 21st century skills. Kleuters blijken verrassend goed in staat tot het doen van onderzoek en zijn bijvoorbeeld geïnteresseerd in een vraag als 'Waarom gaat de zon onder?'. In een van de onderzoeken van de auteurs werd kinderen gevraagd om een experiment uit te voeren waarbij ze steeds een, twee, drie of vier variabelen mochten wijzigen. Alle kinderen konden een experiment met twee variabelen uitvoeren. Sommigen zelfs met drie variabelen. Uit een ander onderzoek bleek dat kinderen uit bewijs een conclusie en een suggestie konden afleiden. Een inconclusie (als het bewijs tegenstrijdig is) bleek nog een brug te ver. Vervolgens worden de implicaties van beide onderzoeken voor de praktijk besproken aan de hand van de cyclus voor Leren Onderzoekend en Ontwerpend Leren (LOOL) van Van Graft & Kemmers (2007). 4 p.

The chemoattractant cAMP induces the translocation of cytosolic PHCrac-GFP to the plasma membrane. PHCrac-GFP is a green fluorescent protein fused to a PH domain that presumably binds to phosphatydylinositol polyphosphates in the membrane. We determined the relative concentration of PHCrac-GFP in the cytosol and at different places along the cell boundary. In cells stimulated homogeneously with 1μM cAMP we observed two distinct phases of PHCrac-GFP translocation. The first translocation is transient and occurs to nearly the entire boundary of the cell; the response is maximal at 6-8 s after stimulation and disappears after ∼20 s. A second translocation of PHCrac-GFP starts after ∼30 s and persists as long as cAMP remains present. Translocation during this second response occurs to small patches with radius of ∼4-5 μm, each covering ∼10% of the cell surface. Membrane patches of PHCrac-GFP are both temporally and spatially closely associated with pseudopodia, which are extended at ∼10 s from the area with a PHCrac-GFP patch. These signaling patches in pseudopodia of homogeneously stimulated cells resemble the single patch of PHCrac-GFP at the leading edge of a cell in a gradient of cAMP, suggesting that PHCrac-GFP is a spatial cue for pseudopod formation also in uniform cAMP.

Nowadays, fluorescent protein (FP) variants have been engineered to fluoresce in all different colors; to display photoswitchable, or photochromic, behavior; or to show yet other beneficial properties that enable or enhance a still growing set of new fluorescence spectroscopy and microcopy techniques. This has allowed the (in situ) study of biomolecules with unprecedented resolution, specificity, sensitivity, and ease of labeling. However, brighter FPs, more photostable FPs, and FPs that display an even better compatibility with biophysical microspectroscopic techniques are still highly desired. The key characteristics of FPs-absorption spectrum, emission spectrum, brightness, fluorescence lifetime, maturation rate, oligomeric state, photostability, pH sensitivity, and functionality in protein fusions-determine their application. This chapter will describe these key features and present several experimental protocols to optimize them.The optimization procedure contains three steps. First the amino acid sequence of a template FP is changed via random or site-directed mutagenesis. A primary screening based on fluorescence intensity, fluorescence lifetime, and emission spectrum is applied on the FP libraries expressed in bacteria. The most promising mutants are isolated, purified, and characterized in vitro. In this step all key characteristics are determined experimentally. Finally the new FPs are evaluated for use in vivo. The protein production and maturation is monitored in bacteria, while transfected mammalian cells report on the photostability, relative brightness, and correct localization to various subcellular compartments.

After providing a brief overview of the basics of fluorescence and FRET, this chapter discusses the most commonly used methods to record FRET. Emphasis is on microscopy methods that are widely used for biosensor imaging. We cover choice of instruments, describe various ways to detect FRET based on intensity as well as on donor lifetime, and provide some guidelines to match particular recording methods with specific scientific experiments. We end with an extensive discussion on further practical considerations that may greatly affect the success of the experiments.

Contains fulltext : 119194.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) The p63RhoGEF and GEFT proteins are encoded by the same gene and both members of the Dbl family of guanine nucleotide exchange factors. These proteins can be activated by the heterotrimeric G-protein subunit Galphaq. We show that p63RhoGEF is located at the plasma membrane, whereas GEFT is confined to the cytoplasm. Live-cell imaging studies yielded quantitative information on diffusion coefficients, association rates and encounter times of GEFT and p63RhoGEF. Calcium signaling was examined as a measure of the signal transmission, revealing more efficient signaling through the membrane-associated p63RhoGEF. A rapamycin dependent recruitment system was used to dynamically alter the subcellular location and concentration of GEFT, showing efficient signaling through GEFT only upon membrane recruitment. Together, our results show efficient signal transmission through membrane located effectors, and highlight a role for increased concentration rather than increased encounter times due to membrane localization in the Galphaq mediated pathways to p63RhoGEF and PLCbeta.

Fluorescently tagged lipid-binding domains have become a popular tool to image lipids that are involved in intracellular signaling processes. The readout usually involves the translocation of the lipid-binding domain from the cytosol or nucleosol to the membrane of interest, or vice versa. Unfortunately, this method seems to work predominantly for lipids in the plasma membrane, whereas lipids such as phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) are not recognized in the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum or the Golgi. Very recently, we developed an alternative way of localizing a lipid of interest by fluorescent labeling of minimally modified lipid derivatives using a single specific chemical reaction. For lipid location analyses, the method is used in fixed cells. However, for studying lipid dynamics, specific labeling in living cells is also possible. This protocol describes how to directly label lipids for imaging in living cells.

Fluorescently tagged lipid-binding domains have become a popular tool to image lipids that are involved in intracellular signaling processes. The readout usually involves the translocation of the lipid-binding domain from the cytosol or nucleosol to the membrane of interest, or vice versa. Unfortunately, this method seems to work predominantly for lipids in the plasma membrane, whereas lipids such as phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) are not recognized in the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum or the Golgi. Very recently, we developed an alternative way of localizing a lipid of interest by fluorescent labeling of minimally modified lipid derivatives using a single specific chemical reaction. This protocol describes how to directly label lipids in fixed cells for lipid location analyses.

This chapter discusses the use of Visible fluorescent proteins (VFPs) for FRET studies, a comprehensive table with Förster radii of VFP pairs is presented and recommendations for choosing the right pairs are made. The chapter discusses VFPs that are used for studies that use fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to detect molecular interactions and molecular conformations. Recommendations for choosing the right pair of VFPs for FRET are made and some examples of the application of VFPs in FRET-based imaging are highlighted. The chapter presents the properties of several VFP pairs. The chapter discusses the most blue-shifted pair, such as, BFP-GFP, and then move towards the red part of the spectrum, subsequently highlighting, such as, CFP-YFP, GFP-RFP, YFP-RFP, and OFP-RFP pairs. The most widely used CFP/ YFP pair is still a good choice when nonsticky and optimized variants are used (e.g., SCFP3A-SYFP2), and the future holds great promise for novel red-shifted pairs to study protein-protein interactions, mainly because of the increased Förster radius.

Plants of the family of legumes are capable of forming a symbiosis with Rhizobium bacteria. These Gram-negative bacteria invade the root system of a host legume and fix nitrogen in a specialized organ, the so-called root nodule. In exchange for sugars, the bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia which can be used by the plant. This remarkable alliance allows the plant to grow independently from nitrogen sources provided by the soil. Examples of leguminous plants are clover, pea, and soybean.The symbiosis is initiated by a molecular dialogue. The plant produces flavonoid compounds which are recognized by the bacterial NodD protein. The signaling pathway which is activated leads to the synthesis and secretion of lipo-chitooligosaccharides which are also called Nod factors. The production of Nod factors by the Rhizobium bacteria is an essential step for accomplishing symbiosis and also determines host specificity. The general structure of Nod factors comprises a chitin backbone of three to five b-1,4-linked N-acetylglucosamine units. A fatty acid of 16-20 carbon atoms is N-linked to the terminal non-reducing sugar residue. The exact molecular structure can comprise different acyl chains and a variety of decorations on the chitin backbone depending on the Rhizobium species.After successful recognition of the bacteria by the legume, a remarkable morphogenic process takes place, which is known as root hair curling. The root hair curls around the Rhizobium colony by which the bacteria are entrapped within the so-called shepherd's crook. Subsequently, the rhizobia enter the root hair through an infection thread, starting from the center of the curl. Via the infection thread several cell layers are crossed after which the bacteria are released in nodule primordium cells, where they differentiate into bacteroids that fix nitrogen.Nod factors in the absence of bacteria, either purified from Rhizobium cultures or chemically synthesized can elicit a wide variety of responses on a compatible legume host. When Nod factors are applied to roots, the earliest visible response takes place in root hairs. Root hairs are single tip-growing cells that develop from the epidermis of a root and grow perpendicular from the longitudinal axis of the root. Generally, root hairs that are terminating growth are susceptible to Nod factors and respond by swelling of the tip of the root hairs, followed by the re-initiation of tip growth in a random direction. This typical Nod factor response is referred to as root hair deformation and can be observed with a microscope 2-3 hours after addition of Nod factors.The perception of Nod factors by the plant, and the downstream signaling cascades that are activated are major research topics in the Rhizobium-legume interaction. The low concentration (down to 10-12 M) at which Nod factors can still induce root hair deformation and the dependence of the bioactivity on specific decorations of the Nod factor suggest that these molecules are perceived by receptors at the root hair. However, to date no such receptors are characterized. Moreover, it is far from clear where Nod factor recognition by root hairs takes place. Therefore an approach was taken in which fluorescent Nod factor derivatives are synthesized, allowing to probe the ligand binding sites on legume root hairs.The research described in this thesis focuses on the quantification, characterization and perception by legumes of Nod factors. In order to detect Nod factors at physiologically relevant concentrations sensitive techniques are required. A number of fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy based techniques can be used to study fluorescent derivatives of signaling molecules. In chapter 1, the use of fluorescence microspectroscopic techniques available in the laboratory are discussed. Examples how these techniques can be used for the study of root hairs and other living cells are described.In chapter 2, two methods to quantify purified Nod factors are described. An enzymatic step which is crucial for the first method was analyzed in detail. The second method was optimized and validated using fluorescent and radiolabeled Nod factor derivatives. The chapter describes in detail how the two optimized methods can be used for quantifying Nod factors as well as potential pitfalls.In chapter 3, the spectral properties of three novel fluorescent Nod factor derivatives are described. It is checked whether these fluorescent Nod factors can still elicit root hair deformation on Vicia sativa roots. The properties of the amphiphilic signaling molecules were characterized in vitro in the absence and presence of micelles and model membrane systems using fluorescence spectroscopy. Time-correlated single photon counting fluorescence spectroscopy was used to measure rotational mobility of the fluorophore. These experiments are complemented with fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to examine diffusional mobility of the Nod factors. A lipid transfer assay was used to measure the rate of intermembrane transfer and intramembrane flip-flop of Nod factors.In chapter 4, a detailed study is reported describing the sites at which the fluorescent Nod factors accumulate. Fluorescence microscopy is used to examine the location of fluorescent Nod factors on root hairs during the initial perception and during root hair deformation. Subsequently, the diffusional mobility of the fluorescent Nod factors is measured in vivo using fluorescence correlation microscopy (FCM), allowing quantification of molecular mobility and concentration of fluorescent Nod factors in living root hairs at a molecular level. This study is continued in chapter 5 in which also novel sulfated fluorescent Nod factors are used and characterized, enabling a direct comparison between sulfated and non-sulfated Nod factors on a host and non-host legume. Also, the origin of the molecular mobility of the Nod factors is studied in more detail.In chapter 6 a novel approach towards manipulating phospholipid second messengers in single cells with spatiotemporal control is presented. The synthesis of a fluorescent and caged derivative, NPE-phosphatidic acid, which releases phosphatidic acid upon exposure to UV is described. The release of phosphatidic acid from the caged compound is studied in vitro and in vivo. The use of photoreleasable phosphatidic acid for studying phospholipid signaling in vivo is evaluated.Chapter 7 summarizes the conclusions that can be drawn from the results described in this thesis. The implications for Nod factor secretion by the bacterium and subsequent perception by legume root hairs are discussed. Based on the results presented in this thesis, it is tempting to speculate that spatial restriction of signaling molecules in plants is achieved by immobilization in the cell wall. Subseqent perception of Nod factor takes place either in the plasma membrane or within the cell wall as is illustrated by two proposed modes of perception. The results of this thesis are discussed with respect to these two models.

Fluorescence correlation microscopy (FCM) is a new single-molecule detection technique based on the confocal principle to quantify molecular diffusion and concentration of fluorescent molecules (particles) with sub-micron resolution. In this study, FCM is applied to examine the diffusional behaviour of fluorescent Nod factor analogues on living Vicia sativa root hairs. Three recently described Nod factors with a fluorescent acyl chain (Goedhart et al. Biochemistry 1999, 38, 10898-10907) were used. Plasmolysis of fluorescently labelled root hairs showed that the Nod factors are predominantly located in the cell wall, as hardly any fluorescence could be detected in the plasma membrane. After Nod factor-induced root hair deformation, the new outgrowth was not labelled, indicating a lack of migration of Nod factors to the newly synthesized cell wall. In agreement, FCM showed a > 1000-fold reduction of molecular mobility of the fluorescence Nod factors upon binding to the cell wall. In addition, FCM demonstrated that Nod factors, when exogenously applied in aqueous solution at 10 nM, markedly concentrate in the cell wall of root hairs (up to 50-fold). The feasibility of applying FCM for the study of living plant cells as well as the implications of our results for the perception of Nod factors are discussed.