title: Automated quantification of neurite outgrowth orientation distributions on patterned surfaces.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We have developed an image analysis methodology for quantifying the anisotropy of neuronal projections on patterned substrates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our method is based on the fitting of smoothing splines to the digital traces produced using a non-maximum suppression technique. This enables precise estimates of the local tangents uniformly along the neurite length, and leads to unbiased orientation distributions suitable for objectively assessing the anisotropy induced by tailored surfaces.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In our application, we demonstrate that carbon nanotubes arrayed in parallel bundles over gold surfaces induce a considerable neurite anisotropy; a result which is relevant for regenerative medicine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our pipeline is generally applicable to the study of fibrous materials on 2D surfaces and should also find applications in the study of DNA, microtubules, and other polymeric materials.
authors.affiliation: Quantitative Imaging Group, Division of Computational Informatics, CSIRO, North Ryde, NSW 1670, Australia. School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Payne
authors.forename: Dadong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Catriona M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Sinclair
authors.forename: Robert M I
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Kapsa
authors.forename: Anita F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Quigley
authors.forename: Gordon G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: Joselito M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Razal
authors.forename: Ray H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Baughman
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Münch
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vallotton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016880:Anisotropy; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006046:Gold; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D016501:Neurites / Q000502:physiology*; D016716:PC12 Cells; D051381:Rats; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D006046:Gold