Tracking algorithms chase down pathogens.
Understanding subcellular dynamic processes governing pathogenic mechanisms is a necessary step towards the development of new drugs and strategies against infectious diseases. Subcellular pathogenic mechanisms, such as viral invasion processes involve highly dynamic nanometric-scale objects and rapid molecular interactions that require the study of individual particle paths. Single-particle tracking methods allow visualizing and characterizing the dynamics of biological objects, and provide a straightforward and accurate means to understand subcellular processes. This review describes a number of particle-tracking methods in time-lapse microscopy sequences and provides examples of using such techniques to investigate mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions.
Chenouard
Nicolas
N
Institut Pasteur, Unité d'Analyse d'Images Quantitative, CNRS URA 2582, Paris, France.
Dufour
Alexandre
A
Olivo-Marin
Jean-Christophe
JC
D000465:Algorithms; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000502:physiology*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D008954:Models, Biological; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods