Computer-assisted three-dimensional reconstruction and motion analysis of living, crawling cells

A computer-assisted three-dimensional dynamic image analysis system (3D-DIA S) has been developed for reconstructing and motion analyzing living, crawl ing cells. The system simultaneously reconstructs the cell surface, the nuc leus and pseudopodia, both expanding and retracting. Although this system h as been developed for single cell analysis, it can be used for the dynamic reconstruction and motion analysis of cells in early embryos, the human hea rt and any other cell, organ or object changing shape over time. Ongoing de velopment of a dynamic analysis system with a confocal front-end, a high sp eed reconstruction system, a near-real time system and a virtual reality sy stem are described. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.