We propose a computational method to quantitatively evaluate the systematic uncertainties that arise from undetectable sources in biological measurements using live-cell imaging techniques. We then demonstrate this method in measuring biological cooperativity of molecular binding networks: in particular, ligand molecules binding to cell surface receptor proteins. Our results show how the non-statistical uncertainties lead to invalid identification of the measured cooperativity. Through this computational scheme, the biological interpretation can be more objectively evaluated and understood under a specific experimental configuration of interest.
@article{arxiv.1802.10080,
title = {Simulation of live-cell imaging system reveals hidden uncertainties in cooperative binding measurements},
author = {Masaki Watabe and Satya N. V. Arjunan and Wei Xiang Chew and Kazunari Kaizu and Koichi Takahashi},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1802.10080},
year = {2019}
}