Features: Feb. 11, 2002

Tracing Brain Neurons Becomes Automatic

		The neuron image above was created through the new automated technique.

Researchers at Rensselaer have developed a fast automated technique to map neurons in the brain that will make neuroscience research more efficient. This technique, which uses advanced algorithms to calculate data from the brain, will help researchers gain a solid base for understanding a variety of brain functions while saving technicians hours of tedious work manually tracing neurons. In addition, this new technology will increase the pace of research by allowing more specimens to be analyzed more quickly.

Badri Roysam, director of Rensselaer's National Science Foundation Center for Subsurface Sensing and Imaging Systems (CenSSIS), is working with MicroBrightField Inc., a small biotechnology company in Vermont that makes hardware and software for neuroscientists, to incorporate the technology into its established products. Currently users of MicroBrightField's software must manually trace the neurons with a computer mouse and transfer them into a database. The automated technology should be available in MicroBrightField's products within the next year.

"We have a long history of working with Dr. Roysam and we are excited to share in this breakthrough technology," said Jack Glaser, president of MicroBrightField.

Roysam and his former student Khalid Al-Kofahi developed the technique through previous work on Roysam's retina project, which uses advanced algorithms to trace the retinal vasculature and create wide-angle mosaics of the retina.

In addition to the agreement with MicroBrightField, the company will provide Roysam with $250,000 over four years to support neurobiology image analysis research in his lab that could be mutually beneficial.

Roysam is also collaborating closely with Jim Turner, director of the Nanobiotechnology Program at the Wadsworth Center of the New York State Department of Health.