No abstract

Protein subcellular localization is a major determinant of protein function. However, this important protein feature is often described in terms of discrete and qualitative categories of subcellular compartments, and therefore it has limited applications in quantitative protein function analyses. Here, we present Protein Localization Analysis and Search Tools (PLAST), an automated analysis framework for constructing and comparing quantitative signatures of protein subcellular localization patterns based on microscopy images. PLAST produces human-interpretable protein localization maps that quantitatively describe the similarities in the localization patterns of proteins and major subcellular compartments, without requiring manual assignment or supervised learning of these compartments. Using the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model system, we show that PLAST is more accurate than existing, qualitative protein localization annotations in identifying known co-localized proteins. Furthermore, we demonstrate that PLAST can reveal protein localization-function relationships that are not obvious from these annotations. First, we identified proteins that have similar localization patterns and participate in closely-related biological processes, but do not necessarily form stable complexes with each other or localize at the same organelles. Second, we found an association between spatial and functional divergences of proteins during evolution. Surprisingly, as proteins with common ancestors evolve, they tend to develop more diverged subcellular localization patterns, but still occupy similar numbers of compartments. This suggests that divergence of protein localization might be more frequently due to the development of more specific localization patterns over ancestral compartments than the occupation of new compartments. PLAST enables systematic and quantitative analyses of protein localization-function relationships, and will be useful to elucidate protein functions and how these functions were acquired in cells from different organisms or species. A public web interface of PLAST is available at http://plast.bii.a-star.edu.sg.

Stress development during co‐firing a multilayer dielectric material of Bi2(Zn1/3Nb2/3)2O7 (BZN) and magnetic material of (Ni0.3Cu0.1Zn0.6O)‐(Fe2O3)0.8 (NiCuZn ferrite) laminate has been investigated by measuring camber development and shrinkage rate difference. The trend of camber development follows a similar pattern to the linear shrinkage rate difference between NiCuZn ferrite and BZN. No co‐firing defects are observed in the multilayer structure of NiCuZn ferrite and BZN laminates, which is attributed to good sintering compatibility between these two ceramics, and the sintering mismatch stress generated in the laminate much less than those of sintering potentials.

Liquid lenses based on the principle of driving two dielectric fluids via controlled electric field were investigated with an experimental apparatus designed for analysis of wave front read from a Shack-Hartmann sensor. Due to small available aperture and requirements in dynamic responses, wave front measurement was selected for study of optical characteristics in dielectric lenses. With the advent of commercial electro-optics sensors in wave front measurement, the experimental apparatus was first designed and simulated with the help of ASAP program. The simulated results proved the conceptual design with handful of engineering insights so that less trial and error efforts could be relieved from building the optics system on the bench. In-house built liquid lens modules with driving circuits were then set on the apparatus for initial calibration and functional tests. Since the electric field generated for the control of liquid profile must be alternating current, various frequency and modulation schemes were put through the liquid lens module to further study the influences on dynamic responses in terms of optical characteristics. Furthermore, effects due to material impurity and ambient effects were also carefully studied for established the fundamental phenomena of liquid lenses made of dielectric fluids. More detailed observations were possible with the measured wave-front data. In conclusion, the wave-front measurement proved to be more reliable and less expensive compared to measurement based on interferometer.