Title: Automating the processing of cDNA microarray images

Authors: P. Liatsis, M.A. Nazarboland, J.Y. Goulermas, X.J. Zeng, E. Milonidis

Addresses: School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, City University, London EC1 0HB, UK. ' Department of Textiles and Paper, University of Manchester, Manchester M60 1QD, UK. ' Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GJ, UK. ' School of Informatics, University of Manchester, Manchester M60 1QD, UK. ' School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, City University, London EC1 0HB, UK

Abstract: This work is concerned with the development of an automatic image processing tool for DNA microarray images. This paper proposes, implements and tests a new tool for cDNA image analysis. The DNAs are imaged as thousands of circularly shaped objects (spots) on the microarray image and the purpose of this tool is to correctly address their location, segment the pixels belonging to spots and extract the quality features of each spot. Techniques used for addressing, segmentation and feature extraction of spots are described in detail. The results obtained with the proposed tool are systematically compared with conventional cDNA microarray analysis software tools.

Keywords: addressing; cDNA microarrays; feature extraction; gene expression levels; segmentation; spot detection; DNA microarrays; microarray images; image processing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISTA.2008.018170

International Journal of Intelligent Systems Technologies and Applications, 2008 Vol.5 No.1/2, pp.115 - 144

Published online: 05 May 2008 *

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