Time-resolved imaging-based CRISPRi screening

Nat Methods. 2020 Jan;17(1):86-92. doi: 10.1038/s41592-019-0629-y. Epub 2019 Nov 18.

Abstract

Our ability to connect genotypic variation to biologically important phenotypes has been seriously limited by the gap between live-cell microscopy and library-scale genomic engineering. Here, we show how in situ genotyping of a library of strains after time-lapse imaging in a microfluidic device overcomes this problem. We determine how 235 different CRISPR interference knockdowns impact the coordination of the replication and division cycles of Escherichia coli by monitoring the location of replication forks throughout on average >500 cell cycles per knockdown. Subsequent in situ genotyping allows us to map each phenotype distribution to a specific genetic perturbation to determine which genes are important for cell cycle control. The single-cell time-resolved assay allows us to determine the distribution of single-cell growth rates, cell division sizes and replication initiation volumes. The technology presented in this study enables genome-scale screens of most live-cell microscopy assays.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • CRISPR-Cas Systems*
  • Cell Cycle
  • DNA Replication
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / growth & development
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism*
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / genetics
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Gene Library
  • Genotype
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Metabolic Engineering / methods*
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / methods*
  • Microscopy / methods*
  • Phenotype

Substances

  • Escherichia coli Proteins