Advanced image analysis systems in cell, molecular and neurobiology applications

Many of today's image acquisition devices (scanners and cameras) yield high-resolution (1280 x 1024 pixels is typical) and/or high-precision (> 8 bits) image data. When coupled to a powerful image analyzer these image acquisition devices offer practical advantages in many bioscience applications. The benefits of high resolution include better contrast transfer (sharper images with more accurate density rendition) and an ability to work with large specimens at lower optical magnifications (larger field of view). High precision is useful if images contain subtle features (e.g., fluorescently labeled processes at densities close to background) and/or wide dynamic range. Examples are given, illustrating the use of a number of medium- and high-performance image acquisition devices with an advanced image analyzer. The examples include a comparison of intensified and integrating cameras in fluorescence microscopy, evaluation of the performance of a fast, cooled integrating camera in ratio fluorescence imaging, and a comparison of film and storage phosphor-plate performance in quantitative receptor autoradiography.