{
  "abstract": "Actin reconstitution assays visualized by total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy have been crucial for defining mechanisms of filament assembly, disassembly, and higher-order organization. Yet quantitative analysis remains slow, labor-intensive, and subject to investigator bias. We developed SMAUG (Single filament Measurement and Analysis Using a GUI), a semi-automated image analysis interface that extends TSOAX filament segmentation and tracking with user-verified trace analysis of time-lapse TIRF images. SMAUG generates kymographs and quantifies filament nucleation, elongation, pausing, junctions, and filament-associated fluorescence while retaining measurements at the individual filament level. We tested the approach across actin reconstitution assays producing concentration-dependent polymerization, formin-stimulated elongation, capping-induced arrest, Arp2/3 branching, and fascin-mediated bundling. SMAUG reproduced manual measurement while reducing analysis time and revealed where dense networks and bundled filaments require user validation. Together, TSOAX and SMAUG provide a semi-automated approach for quantitative analysis of actin filament dynamics.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "SUNY Upstate Medical University"
  ],
  "article_type": "New results",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 7,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "A. D. Nobles"
    },
    {
      "name": "D. M. Rutkowski"
    },
    {
      "name": "C. R. Belden"
    },
    {
      "name": "L. M. Haney"
    },
    {
      "name": "A. E. Davenport"
    },
    {
      "name": "D. Vavylonis"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "J. L. Henty-Ridilla"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/8kb4k9mx4svxs.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.11.05.764262",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.11.05.764262v1.full",
  "id": "8kb4k9mx4svxs",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.11.05.764262v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "biorxiv",
      "cell biology"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": null,
  "pdf_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.11.05.764262v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-11-05",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/8kb4k9mx4svxs.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-07T00:21:18Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.11.05.764262",
      "source": "biorxiv",
      "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.11.05.764262v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "biorxiv:cell biology",
      "subfield": "cell-biology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Breaking the bottleneck: semi-automated quantification of actin filament dynamics",
  "title_text": "Breaking the bottleneck: semi-automated quantification of actin filament dynamics",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-08T00:21:07Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/8kb4k9mx4svxs",
  "venue": "bioRxiv",
  "versions": []
}