Micro Tracker

Overview

MicroTracker facilitates the correlation of results from methods such as DNA ploidy and Nucleotyping to histopathological classification and grading - a comparative cell-by-cell analysis.

Tracking and Visualization

Associating and Tracking Data

A single nucleus’ placement in the structure of the tumor tissue can be tracked and visualized. When a Nucleotyping analysis is completed, the results can be interconnected with other analytical methods for the same nucleus. In this way, we expose the connection between DNA ploidy, texture analysis, CISH, immunohistochemistry and HE-staining - all in one section.

Method

The MicroTracker software In the MicroTracker software each single nucleus placement in the structure of the tumor tissue can be tracked and visualized.

• Staining and scanning: First, the HE-stained section is scanned to provide a "map" of the tissue structure. The section is re-stained using Feulgen-Schiff to visualize the DNA, which is also scanned.
• The area of interest is delineated using the program DLine. Typically this will entail a pathologist specifying the tumor area or sub-area of interest. MicroTracker will generate a list of points around the perimeter of the delineated area for comparison later.
• The delined area is divided into square frames.
• The two section images are aligned using the program Align. The position of the nuclei is recognized by the program so each nucleus corresponds.
• FGrabber identifies and segments single nuclei. The microscope is now fitted with a 63x lens for top-quality images.
• The images can now be analyzed according to research goals.

Software

MicroTracker is developed in C# and Visual Studio, and is created for Windows. The program is a result of tight collaboration among researchers, software developers and pathologists at the ICGI.