title: Masks in imaging flow cytometry.
abstract: Data analysis in imaging flow cytometry incorporates elements of flow cytometry together with other aspects of morphological analysis of images. A crucial early step in this analysis is the creation of a mask to distinguish the portion of the image upon which further examination of specified features can be performed. Default masks are provided by the manufacturer of the imaging flow cytometer but additional custom masks can be created by the individual user for specific applications. Flawed or inaccurate masks can have a substantial negative impact on the overall analysis of a sample, thus great care must be taken to ensure the accuracy of masks. Here we discuss various types of masks and cite examples of their use. Furthermore we provide our insight for how to approach selecting and assessing the optimal mask for a specific analysis.
authors.affiliation: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States.
authors.forename: Venina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dominical
authors.affiliation: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States.
authors.forename: Leigh
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Samsel
authors.affiliation: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States. Electronic address: mccoyj@nhlbi.nih.gov.
authors.forename: J Philip
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: McCoy
mesh_terms: D000068240:Data Anonymization; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D019044:Image Cytometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D012984:Software
keywords: Data analysis; Features; ImageStream; Imaging flow cytometry; Mask