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ORION: Online Reconstruction and functional Imaging Of Neurons: segmentation and tracing of neurons for reconstruction.

A project to develop tools that explore single neuron function via sophisticated image analysis. ORION software bridges advanced optical imaging and compartmental modeling of neuronal function by rapidly, accurately, and robustly generating, from structural image data, a cylindrical morphology model suitable for simulating neuronal function. The goal of this project is to develop a computational and experimental framework to allow real-time mapping of functional imaging data (e.g., spatio-temporal patterns of dendritic voltages or intracellularions) to neuronal structure, during the very limited duration of an acute experiment.

The invention comprises a software tool, NeuronMetrics, which functions as a set of modules that run in the open-source program ImageJ. NeuronMetrics features a novel method for estimating neural “branch number” (a measure of the axonal complexity) from two-dimensional images. In addition, the tool features a novel method for modeling neural structure in large “gaps” that result from image artifacts.

Scipion is an image processing framework for obtaining 3D models of macromolecular complexes using Electron Microscopy (3DEM). It integrates several software packages and presents a unified interface for both biologists and developers. Scipion allows you to execute workflows combining different software tools, while taking care of formats and conversions. Additionally, all steps are tracked and can be reproduced later on.

Neurolucida is a powerful tool for creating and analyzing realistic, meaningful, and quantifiable neuron reconstructions from microscope images. Perform detailed morphometric analysis of neurons, such as quantifying 1) the number of dendrites, axons, nodes, synapses, and spines, 2) the length, width, and volume of dendrites and axons, 3) the area and volume of the soma, and 4) the complexity and extension of neurons. See 10.3389/fnins.2012.00049

In this workflow, you can use MorphoLibJ to generate accurate morphometric measurements

• First the fibers are segmented by mathematical morphology:
  • for example by using MorphoLibJ:
    • Create a marker image by creating a rough mask with extended regional maxima (similar to Find Max), such that you have one max per fiber
    • Use the marker controlled watershed (in MorpholLibJ/ Segmentation/ marker controlled watershed) : indicate the original grayscale image as the input, Marker will be your maxima image, select None for mask
    • it will create a label mask of your fibers
•  In MorphoLibJ /analyze/ select Region Morphometry: this will compute different shape factors which are more robust than the ones implemented by default in ImageJ
• Export the result table created to a csv file
• Then for example in Matlab or R, you can apply a PCA analysis (Principal component analysis) followed by a k-means with the number of class (clusters) (different fibers type) you want to separate.
• You can then add this class as a new feature to your csv file.
• From this you can sort your labelled fibers into these clusters for a visual feedback or further spatial analysis