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Author Spotlight: An Innovative Approach to Neural Electrical Stimulation Using Calcium Imaging
Published on: August 18, 2023
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Scintillate: An open-source graphical viewer for time-series calcium imaging evaluation and pre-processing
I A N Dublon1, M Nilsson2, A Balkenius1
1Division of Chemical Ecology, Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 102, SE-230 53, Alnarp, Sweden.
Journal of Neuroscience Methods
|September 6, 2016
Summary
This study introduces scintillate, an open-source software for rapid analysis of calcium imaging data. It enables whole-image fluorescence change (ΔF) and Independent Component Analysis (ICA) for efficient sample evaluation and acquisition optimization.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biophysics
- Computational Biology
Background:
- Calcium imaging detects subtle signal changes in image time-series.
- Analysis often requires post-processing of large datasets and Region of Interest (ROI) selection.
- Responses can range from pronounced (genetically encoded reporters) to subtle (bath-applied dyes).
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce scintillate, a novel software for real-time evaluation of calcium imaging data.
- To enable rapid assessment of image data without a priori ROI selection.
- To improve the efficiency of experimental design and data acquisition.
Main Methods:
- Developed scintillate, a GUI-based platform for viewing time-sequenced tiff images.
- Implemented whole-image fluorescence change (ΔF) analysis.
- Integrated Independent Component Analysis (ICA) for signal change detection.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated scintillate's ability to evaluate both strong genetically encoded neuronal Ca2+ responses in flies and weaker dye-based responses in moth mushroom bodies.
- Showcased instantaneous pre-stimulation background subtraction for improved signal appraisal.
- Validated the utility of whole-matrix ΔF and ICA for rapid sample assessment and acquisition optimization.
Conclusions:
- Scintillate provides a multi-platform, open-source system for efficient time-series image evaluation.
- The software minimizes time spent on unresponsive samples and aids in optimizing subsequent acquisitions.
- Whole-matrix ΔF and ICA analysis at the time of acquisition are invaluable for calcium imaging experiments.
