Global linking of cell tracks using the Viterbi algorithm.

ABSTRACT: Automated tracking of living cells in microscopy image sequences is an important and challenging problem. With this application in mind, we propose a global track linking algorithm, which links cell outlines generated by a segmentation algorithm into tracks. The algorithm adds tracks to the image sequence one at a time, in a way which uses information from the complete image sequence in every linking decision. This is achieved by finding the tracks which give the largest possible increases to a probabilistically motivated scoring function, using the Viterbi algorithm. We also present a novel way to alter previously created tracks when new tracks are created, thus mitigating the effects of error propagation. The algorithm can handle mitosis, apoptosis, and migration in and out of the imaged

SUBMITTER: Magnusson KE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4765504 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature