title: A model-based approach for automated in vitro cell tracking and chemotaxis analyses.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chemotaxis may be studied in two main ways: 1) counting cells passing through an insert (e.g., using Boyden chambers), and 2) directly observing cell cultures (e.g., using Dunn chambers), both in response to stationary concentration gradients. This article promotes the use of Dunn chambers and in vitro cell-tracking, achieved by video microscopy coupled with automatic image analysis software, in order to extract quantitative and qualitative measurements characterizing the response of cells to a diffusible chemical agent.
  
  
  METHODS
  Previously, we set up a videomicroscopy system coupled with image analysis software that was able to compute cell trajectories from in vitro cell cultures. In the present study, we are introducing a new software increasing the application field of this system to chemotaxis studies. This software is based on an adapted version of the active contour methodology, enabling each cell to be efficiently tracked for hours and resulting in detailed descriptions of individual cell trajectories. The major advantages of this method come from an improved robustness with respect to variability in cell morphologies between different cell lines and dynamical changes in cell shape during cell migration. Moreover, the software includes a very small number of parameters which do not require overly sensitive tuning. Finally, the running time of the software is very short, allowing improved possibilities in acquisition frequency and, consequently, improved descriptions of complex cell trajectories, i.e. trajectories including cell division and cell crossing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We validated this software on several artificial and real cell culture experiments in Dunn chambers also including comparisons with manual (human-controlled) analyses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We developed new software and data analysis tools for automated cell tracking which enable cell chemotaxis to be efficiently analyzed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Logical and Numerical Systems, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Debeir
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Camby
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kiss
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Van Ham
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Decaestecker
mesh_terms: D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002633:Chemotaxis; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D018715:Microscopy, Video; D012984:Software; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000166:cytology*