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Hi,

Metamorph has a tracking object module (for 2-D images) which can be
used either with threshold or with so called "template matching" (which
does not require the image to be threshold) or combination of both. It
works well for DIC or phase images. The program can perform the task
fully automated or with some human interactions.

Of course, high image quality (e.g. for tracking cell motility: good
signal/noise ratio, reasonable cell density, adequate time interval,
etc.) will make the task easier to perform. Online background correction
usually helps a lot. The program comes with some other functions (such
as flatten background, equalize light, etc) which can be useful to deal
with fluctuation of light intensity or uneven illumination. Subtraction
of consecutive images of timelapse is also good way to yield high
quality image for tracking. Nevertheless, there are many situations
where automation will fail miserably. Cell may change shape suddenly,
may divide, or may get clustered together and then separate , etc.
Often, cells are carried away by turbulence of the media in the dish. So
some degree of human interactions/examination may be unavoidable.

Disclaimer: No financial interests in the company. I am just a happy user.

Xuejun

Csucs Gabor wrote:

> Search the CONFOCAL archive at
> http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal
>
> Dear All
>
> It is quite true that there are a number of softwares with which one can
> perform tracking. My main problem is that for the segmentation of the
> images these usually use tresholding which may work nicely for
> fluorescent images but fails often when phase contrast images of cell
> should be tracked. So my question is whether anyone is aware of a
> software with which one can automatically track phase contrast (or DIC)
> images of cells with minimal operator interference. Obviously in this
> case only in 2D...
>
> Thanks   Gabor
>
> --
> Gabor Csucs, PhD
> Light Microscopy Center
> Institute of Biochemistry
> Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETHZ
>
> tel     +41 1 633 6221
>        +41 1 633 6196                 ETH Hönngerberg
> fax     +41 1 633 1124                 CH-8093 Zürich
> email   [log in to unmask]
> www     http://www.biol.ethz.ch
>

--
Xuejun Sun, Ph.D.
Dept. Exp. Oncology
Cross Cancer Institute
11560 University ave.
Edmonton Alberta T6G 1Z2
Canada

Phone:  (780) 432-8898 (office)
        (780) 432-8468 (lab.)
Fax:    (780) 432-8425