An Observation Data Driven Simulation and Analysis Framework for Early Stage <i>C. elegans</i>Embryogenesis

Recent developments in cutting-edge live microscopy and image analysis provide a unique opportunity to systematically investigate individual cell’s dynamics as well as simulation-based hypothesis testing. After a summary of data generation and analysis in the observation and modeling efforts related to C. elegans embryogenesis, we develop a systematic approach to model the basic behaviors of individual cells. Next, we present our ideas to model cell fate, division, and movement using 3D time-lapse images within an agent-based modeling framework. Then, we summarize preliminary result and discuss efforts in cell fate, division, and movement modeling. Finally, we discuss the ongoing efforts and future directions for C. elegans embryo modeling, including an inferred developmental landscape for cell fate, a quasi-equilibrium model for cell division, and multi-agent, deep reinforcement learning for cell movement.

Visualization of 3-Dimensional Vectors in a Dynamic Embryonic System—WormGUIDES

WormGUIDES is an open-source dynamic embryonic system designed to facilitate global understanding of cellular decisions in the developing nervous system of the nematode C. elegans. WormGUIDES was designed to allow investigation and exploration of the observational results of the C. elegans life cycle from laboratory experiments. In the process of a mechanistic C. elegans model development, some functionalities of WormGUIDES needed to be enhanced to support model validation and verification. In this study, a new way to visualize 3-dimentional vectors within WormGUIDES was investigated and presented. Then, the practical values of this method were demonstrated by visualizing two biologically significant directions (i.e., division orientation and cell polarity) of individual embryonic cells in C. elegans. Lastly, a mathematic approach was designed to illustrate the differences between these two sets of vectors and provide easy indications of the location of these individual cells that have large data discrepancies within the C. elegans embryonic system.

Precise Planar-Twisted Molecular Engineering to Construct Semiconducting Polymers with Balanced Absorption and Quantum Yield for Efficient Phototheranostics

Semiconducting polymers(SPs)have shown great feasibility as candidates for near-infrared-II(NIR-Ⅱ)fluorescence imaging-navigated photothermal therapy due to their strong light-harvesting ability and flexible tunability.However,the fluorescence signal of traditional SPs tends to quench in their aggregate states owing to the strongπ-πstacking,which can lead to the radiative decay pathway shutting down.To address this issue,aggregation-induced emission effect has been used as a rational tactic to boost the aggregate-state fluorescence of NIR-Ⅱemitters.In this contribution,we developed a precise molecular engineering tactic based on the block copolymerizations that integrate planar and twisted segments into one conjugated polymer backbone,providing great flexibility in tuning the photophysical properties and photothermal conversion capacity of SPs.Two monomers featured with twisted and planar architectures,respectively,were tactfully incorporated via a ternary copolymerization approach to produce a series of new SPs.The optimal copolymer(SP2)synchronously shows desirable absorption ability and good NIR-Ⅱquantum yield on the premise of maintaining typical aggregation-induced emission characteristics,resulting in balanced NIR-Ⅱfluorescence brightness and photothermal property.Water-dispersible nanoparticles fabricated from the optimal SP2 show efficient photothermal therapeutic effects both in vitro and in vivo.The in vivo investigation reveals the distinguished NIR-Ⅱfluorescence imaging performance of SP2 nanoparticles and their photothermal ablation toward tumor with prominent tumor accumulation ability and excellent biocompatibility.