Semi-automated quantification and neuroanatomical mapping of heterogeneous cell populations.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Our group studies the interactions between cells of the brain and the neurotropic parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Using an in vivo system that allows us to permanently mark and identify brain cells injected with Toxoplasma protein, we have identified that Toxoplasma-injected neurons (TINs) are heterogeneously distributed throughout the brain. Unfortunately, standard methods to quantify and map heterogeneous cell populations onto a reference brain atlas are time consuming and prone to user bias.

New method

We developed a novel MATLAB-based semi-automated quantification and mapping program to allow the rapid and consistent mapping of heterogeneously distributed cells on to the Allen Institute Mouse Brain Atlas. The system uses two-threshold background subtraction to ide

SUBMITTER: Mendez OA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6357967 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature