Assessment of cell adhesion and cell size provides valuable information on surface biocompatibility. Most investigations on cell morphology dynamics are of rather descriptive character and lack procedures for appropriate quantification.
Aim of the project is to develop software tools which allow automated cell segmentation and identification as well as calculation and further processing of cell size and migration paths in different time lapsed microscopic images (CLSM , light microscope).
The new software allows the monitoring of the long-term behavior of vital stained cells on solid, non-translucent surfaces via time-lapse microscopy. Input data are high speed optical cross sections through the culture medium obtained by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The retrieved data are cell parameters such as the orientation of the major axes of the cell and cell orientation relative to functional structures such as grooves and scratches on the substrate (implant materials).