Hidden Markov Model Analysis of Multichromophore Photobleaching
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-24-2006
Abstract
The interpretation of single-molecule measurements is greatly complicated by the presence of multiple fluorescent labels. However, many molecular systems of interest consist of multiple interacting components. We investigate this issue using multiply labeled dextran polymers that we intentionally photobleach to the background on a single-molecule basis. Hidden Markov models allow for unsupervised analysis of the data to determine the number of fluorescent subunits involved in the fluorescence intermittency of the 6-carboxytetramethylrhodamine labels by counting the discrete steps in fluorescence intensity. The Bayes information criterion allows us to distinguish between hidden Markov models that differ by the number of states, that is, the number of fluorescent molecules. We determine information-theoretical limits and show via Monte Carlo simulations that the hidden Markov model analysis approaches these theoretical limits. This technique has resolving power of one fluorescing unit up to as many as 30 fluorescent dyes with the appropriate choice of dye and adequate detection capability. We discuss the general utility of this method for determining aggregation-state distributions as could appear in many biologically important systems and its adaptability to general photometric experiments.
DOI
10.1021/jp063367k
Montclair State University Digital Commons Citation
Messina, Troy C.; Kim, Hiyun; Giurleo, Jason T.; and Talaga, David, "Hidden Markov Model Analysis of Multichromophore Photobleaching" (2006). Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works. 349.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/chem-biochem-facpubs/349