Machine Learning Model Tracks Muscle Cell Development, Revealing Regulatory Checkpoint
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Researchers developed a machine learning model to track muscle stem cells as they develop into mature muscle fibers.
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The model assigned numerical scores to individual cells, allowing the scientists to quantify cell maturation over time.
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The analysis revealed that cells progress through differentiation asynchronously before fusing together.
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The model identified a regulatory checkpoint around 3 hours before cell fusion begins.
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Inhibiting the p38 enzyme caused cells to get stuck at the ready-to-fuse stage, unable to proceed to fusion.