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Neurospora crassa (Neurospora) is a nonpathogenic multicellular fungus. Neurospora has many attributes that make it an ideal model organism for cell biology and genetic studies, including a sequenced genome, a predominantly haploid life cycle and the availability of knock-out mutants for the ~10,000 genes. Neurospora grows by polar extension of tube-like structures called hyphae. Neurospora has a complex life cycle, with two asexual sporulation pathways and a sexual cycle that produces meiotic progeny. This study analyzes stages during the formation of a colony, from asexual spore to mature hyphae with the use of video bioinformatics and image analysis tools. We are the first to analyze the asexual spore size, hyphal compartment size and hyphal growth rate in an automated manner, using video and image analysis algorithms. Quantitative results were obtained for all three phenotypic assays. This novel approach employs phenotypic parameters that can be utilized for streamlined analysis of thousands of mutants. This software, to be made publicly available in the future, eliminates subjectivity, and allows high-throughput analysis in a time saving manner. |
