Cell tracking in fluorescence images of embryogenesis processes with morphological reconstruction by 4D-tubular structuring elements.
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.
Pastor
D
D
The Group of Biomedical Image Technologies, Universidad Politcnica de Madrid, Madrid 28040 Spain. david.pastor@die.upm.es
Luengo-Oroz
M A
MA
Lombardot
B
B
Gonzalvez
I
I
Duloquin
L
L
Savy
T
T
Bourgine
P
P
Peyrieras
N
N
Santos
A
A
D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D036641:Microscopy, Fluorescence, Multiphoton / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000196:embryology* / Q000502:physiology