Cell tracking in fluorescence images of embryogenesis processes with morphological reconstruction by 4D-tubular structuring elements

Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2009:2009:970-3. doi: 10.1109/IEMBS.2009.5333756.

Abstract

We present a simple and parameter-free nuclei tracking method for reconstructing cell dynamics in fluorescence 3D+t images of embryogenesis. The strategy is based on the use of the mathematical morphology operators directly in the 4D image. The morphological reconstruction of a marker -manually or automatically selected- in an initial spatio-temporal position generates a connected path over the time representing the cell migration. Thus, the processing provides a coherent spatiotemporal estimation of cell movement. The algorithm has been validated on in vivo images of early zebrafish and sea urchin embryogenesis acquired with two-photon laser scanning microscopy providing mean tracking rates above 98% per time step.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Nucleus / physiology
  • Cell Nucleus / ultrastructure
  • Embryonic Development / physiology*
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence, Multiphoton / methods*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Zebrafish / anatomy & histology*
  • Zebrafish / embryology*
  • Zebrafish / physiology