Investigation of Bacillus subtilis Sigma Factor Dynamics Using Improved Single Cell Tools
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Bacteria can quickly adapt to changing environmental conditions by activating alternative sigma factors. It has been shown previously that single cell approaches can reveal hidden dynamics in sigma factor activation. Here, we investigate the single cell response dynamics of the \textit{B. subtilis} extracytoplasmic function sigma factors, which are an important part of the cell envelope stress response, under their specific stresses. To do this we use transcriptional reporters of sigma factors, quantitative single cell snapshots, time-lapse microscopy, and microfluidics.\
By developing an improved microfluidics setup for single cell time-lapse microscopy, as well as improved single cell analysis code, we are able to observe new sigma factor dynamics. First, we observe heterogeneous entry into a higher