ChromaWizard: An open source image analysis software for multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis.

Area of Science:

• Genomics
• Bioinformatics
• Cytogenetics

Background:

• Multiplex fluorescence in situ hybridization (M-FISH) is crucial for analyzing chromosome aberrations in biological studies.
• Existing software for M-FISH analysis is often proprietary, species-specific (human, mouse), and lacks adaptability for other organisms.
• A need exists for flexible, open-source software for multicolor image analysis applicable across diverse species and experimental setups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and present ChromaWizard, a novel open-source software tool for multicolor image analysis.
• To provide a flexible and customizable solution for chromosome painting and aberration detection.
• To demonstrate the software's utility on Chinese hamster cell lines with complex chromosomal rearrangements.

Main Methods:

• Developed ChromaWizard using open-source scientific image analysis libraries: OpenCV, scikit-image, and NumPy.
• Applied the software to analyze metaphase spreads from Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) fibroblasts and Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell lines.
• Enabled manual or automatic color assignment of hybridization signals for versatile application.

Main Results:

• ChromaWizard successfully processed multicolor M-FISH data from Chinese hamster samples.
• The software demonstrated adaptability to different labeling kits and instrumentation.
• Functionality was validated on cell lines with known chromosomal abnormalities, showcasing its potential for diverse multicolor applications.

Conclusions:

• ChromaWizard offers a versatile, open-source solution for multicolor image analysis in biological research.
• The tool addresses the limitations of proprietary software, enabling broader application in cytogenetics and genomics.
• Its adaptability makes it valuable for analyzing chromosomal aberrations in various species beyond human and mouse.