Initial guesses generation for fluorescence intensity distribution analysis

Fluorescence cumulants analysis with non-ideal observation profiles

One of the challenges of fluorescence fluctuation fpectroscopy (FFS) is an adequate approximation of a brightness profile. The key feature of fluorescence intensity distribution analysis (FIDA) is a polynomial approximation of a brightness profile. A broad range of brightness profile shapes can be well described by this approximation. A different approach consisting of the introduction of additional fitting parameters, defined as a relative difference between integrals of the actual brightness profile and its Gaussian approximation, is used in photon counting histogram (PCH) analysis. It is sufficient to introduce only one additional fitting parameter (first-order correction) to get an adequate fit to the experimental data in many practical applications. In the current study, we apply these approaches to the theory of time integrated fluorescence cumulants analysis. We demonstrate that developed corrections improve results of FFS analysis applied to simulated and experimental data. The use of different brightness profile approximations and normalizations in PCH and FIDA leads to different estimates of brightness and the number of molecules, even though they represent the same physical quantities. Based on the developed theory, we derive equations that relate brightness and the number of molecules in PCH and FIDA.

Global analysis of autocorrelation functions and photon counting distributions in fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy

In fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and photon counting histogram (PCH) analysis, the same experimental fluorescence intensity fluctuations are used, but each analytical method focuses on a different property of the signal. The time-dependent decay of the correlation of fluorescence fluctuations is measured in FCS yielding molecular diffusion coefficients and triplet-state parameters such as fraction and decay time. The amplitude distribution of these fluctuations is calculated by PCH analysis yielding the molecular brightness. Both FCS and PCH give information about the molecular concentration. Here we describe a global analysis protocol that simultaneously recovers relevant and common parameters in model functions of FCS and PCH from a single fluorescence fluctuation trace. Application of a global analysis approach allows increasing the information content available from a single measurement that results in more accurate values of molecular diffusion coefficients and triplet-state parameters and also in robust, time-independent estimates of molecular brightness and number of molecules.

Simulation of autocorrelation function and photon counting distribution in fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy

In modern fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy, the autocorrelation function and photon counting distribution are two widely used statistical characteristics of the measured fluctuating fluorescence intensity signal. Applying special analysis methods such as fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and photon counting histogram (PCH) to these properties, it is possible to recover values of different parameters of fluorescent molecules such as the concentration, diffusion coefficient, molecular brightness, and kinetic rate constants. The development of new analysis methods is senseless without testing their validity, accuracy, and robustness. The most appropriate check of a method is its application to experimental data. However, sometimes it is more convenient and easier to verify a method on simulated data. Simulation is also useful for better understanding the processes that were modeled during the development of analysis methods. Here, we present two simulation models providing an autocorrelation function and photon counting distribution of a sequence of photon arrival times detected in fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy.