title: Recent advances in quantitative colocalization analysis: focus on neuroscience.
abstract: Quantitative colocalization analysis is an advanced digital imaging tool to characterize the spatial expression of molecules of interest in immunofluorescence images obtained using confocal microscopes. It began from simple pixel counting and, with introduction of specialized algorithms, transformed into a powerful image analyzing technique capable of identifying the exact locations of various molecules in tissues and cells and describing their subtle changes in dynamics. Applications of quantitative colocalization in the field of neuroscience proved to be particularly informative by helping to obtain observations not otherwise achievable using other techniques. In this article, we review the background and applicability of quantitative colocalization with special focus on neuroscience research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Kochi University Faculty of Medicine, Kohasu, Okoh-cho, Nankoku, Kochi 783-8505, Japan. zinchuk@s.kochi-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Vadim
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zinchuk
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Grossenbacher-Zinchuk
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000032:analysis; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000032:analysis*; D051379:Mice; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D051381:Rats; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation; D012984:Software; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods; D013382:Subtraction Technique
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins