title: Automated cell identification and tracking using nanoparticle moving-light-displays.
abstract: An automated technique for the identification, tracking and analysis of biological cells is presented. It is based on the use of nanoparticles, enclosed within intra-cellular vesicles, to produce clusters of discrete, point-like fluorescent, light sources within the cells. Computational analysis of these light ensembles in successive time frames of a movie sequence, using k-means clustering and particle tracking algorithms, provides robust and automated discrimination of live cells and their motion and a quantitative measure of their proliferation. This approach is a cytometric version of the moving light display technique which is widely used for analyzing the biological motion of humans and animals. We use the endocytosis of CdTe/ZnS, core-shell quantum dots to produce the light displays within an A549, epithelial, lung cancer cell line, using time-lapse imaging with frame acquisition every 5 minutes over a 40 hour time period. The nanoparticle moving light displays provide simultaneous collection of cell motility data, resolution of mitotic traversal dynamics and identification of familial relationships allowing construction of multi-parameter lineage trees.
authors: Centre for Nanohealth, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, United Kingdom.
authors: James A
authors: JA
authors: Tonkin
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Rees
authors: Martyn R
authors: MR
authors: Brown
authors: Rachel J
authors: RJ
authors: Errington
authors: Paul J
authors: PJ
authors: Smith
authors: Sally C
authors: SC
authors: Chappell
authors: Huw D
authors: HD
authors: Summers
mesh_terms: D019187:Cadmium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D045663:Quantum Dots; D013440:Sulfides / Q000737:chemistry; D013691:Tellurium / Q000737:chemistry; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D019187:Cadmium Compounds; D013440:Sulfides; D017967:Zinc Compounds; C031238:zinc sulfide; D013691:Tellurium; C028337:cadmium telluride