MicroMeasure: A new computer program for the collection and analysis of cytogenetic data

The ability to identify individual chromosomes in cytological preparations is an essential component of many investigations. While several computer so ftware applications have been used to facilitate such quantitative karyotyp e analysis, most of these programs are limited by design for specific types of analyses, or can be used only with specific hardware configurations. Mi croMeasure is a new image analysis application that may be used to collect data for a wide variety of chromosomal parameters from electronically captu red or scanned images. Unlike similar applications, MicroMeasure may be ind ividually configured by the end user to suit a wide variety of research nee ds. This program can be used with most common personal computers, and requi res no unusual or specific hardware. MicroMeasure is made available to the research community without cost by the Department of Biology at Colorado St ate University via the World Wide Web at http://www.biology.colostate.edu/M icroMeasure.