Intensity modulation of pseudocolor images

Fura-2 is a popular real-time fluorescent indicator used to image intracellular, free calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i) in living cells. One difficulty with fura-2-based digital imaging is how to best display the [Ca2+]i information that is acquired. Typically, only the [Ca2+]i as pseudocolor data are displayed, and the localization and intensity of the dye are not presented. This paper describes a technique that allows for the re-introduction of the intensity information. Recovery of the intensity information would de-emphasize regions with a poor signal-to-noise ratio and would more accurately report variations of sample morphology. A second advantage of this technique is that it requires no additional hardware since it is completely software based and can be run on all the major operating systems.