ANALYSIS OF IMAGE SEQUENCES IN FLUORESCENCE VIDEOMICROSCOPY OF STATIONARY OBJECTS

Fluorescence videomicroscopy allows the temporal behavior of biologica l specimens to be studied at the cellular level. We describe two types of methods that can be used for extracting quantitative information f rom image sequences: the modelling approach, which is mainly local, an d multivariate statistical analysis, which provides a global approach. The potentials for use of these two methods are illustrated through a simulation example and actual examples dealing with the study of chlo ride secretion by airway epithelial cells. We define some guidelines f or making a choice between these two approaches, bearing in mind that a blend of these two methodologies is also possible. (C) Wiley-Liss, I nc.