Digital experiments for investigating stochastic phenomena in biological systems
Contributors: Paulsson, Johan; Needleman, Daniel; Brenner, Michael
Published: 2012
Language: eng
Description: Heterogeneity in biological systems necessitates the development of robust single-molecule methods to quantify molecular abundances. Digital methods involve the physical separation of molecular components followed by independent interrogation and robust readout. This approach was used to address problems in a variety of length scales. Microfluidic devices were developed to measure abundances of DNA from single E. coli cells, stochastic heterogeneity of single-molecule polymerase chain reaction was measured, digital cell viability and cell death assays were developed to measure stochastic outcomes of plasmid-encoded toxin-antidote systems, and digital methods were developed to measure plasmid loss rates in a population of growing cells.
Notes: Keywords: digital pcr, fluctuations, lab on a chip, microfluidics, plasmid, toxin antidote.

Thesis Ph.D. Harvard University 2012