Analysis of image sequences in fluorescence videomicroscopy of stationary objects

Fluorescence videomicroscopy allows the temporal behavior of biological specimens to be studied at the cellular level. We describe two types of methods that can be used for extracting quantitative information from image sequences: the modeling approach, which is mainly local, and multivariate statistical analysis, which provides a global approach. The potentials for use of these two methods are illustrated through a simulation example and actual examples dealing with the study of chloride secretion by airway epithelial cells. We define some guidelines for making a choice between these two approaches, bearing in mind that a blend of these two methodologies is also possible.