title: Visualization and analysis techniques for three dimensional information acquired by confocal microscopy.
abstract: Confocal Scanning Laser Microscopy (CSLM) is particularly well suited for the acquisition of 3-dimensional data of microscopic objects. In the CSLM a specific volume in the object is sampled during the imaging process and the result is stored in a digital computer as a three-dimensional memory array. Optimal use of these data requires both the development of effective visual representations as well as analysis methods. In addition to the well known stereoscopic representation method a number of alternatives for various purposes are presented. When rendering in terms of solid-looking or semitransparent objects is required, an algorithm based on a simulated process of excitation and fluorescence is very suitable. Graphic techniques can be used to examine the 3-dimensional shape of surfaces. For (near-)real time applications a representation method should not require extensive previous data-processing or analysis. From the very extensive field of 3-D image analysis two examples are given.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Cell Biology, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Brakenhoff
authors.forename: H T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: van der Voort
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Baarslag
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mans
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Oud
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zwart
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van Driel
mesh_terms: D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D007399:Interphase; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D010944:Plants