Image analysis methods and apparatus are used for distinguishing live and dead cells. The methods may involve segmenting an image to identify the region(s) occupied by one or more cells and determining the presence of a particular live-dead indicator feature within the region(s). In certain embodiments, the indicator feature is a cytoskeletal component such as tubulin. Prior to producing an image for analysis, cells may be treated with a marker that highlights the live-dead indicator in the image. In the case of tubulin, the marker will co-locate with tubulin and provide a signal that is captured in the image (e.g., a fluorescent emission).
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLCATIONS
This application claims priority under 35 USC .sctn. 119(e) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/588,907, filed Jul. 15, 2004 and titled "ASSAY TO DISTINGUISH LIVE AND DEAD CELLS." This application is also related to the following U.S. Patent documents: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/729,754, filed Dec. 4, 2000, titled CLASSIFYING CELLS BASED ON INFORMATION CONTAINED IN CELL IMAGES; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/792,013, filed Feb. 20, 2001 (Publication No. US-2002-0154798-A1), titled EXTRACTING SHAPE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN CELL IMAGES; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/719,988, filed Nov. 20, 2003, titled PREDICTING HEPATOTOXICITY USING CELL BASED ASSAYS. Each of the references listed in this section is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.
