Automatic image analysis and quantification for fluorescence in situ hybridization

A computer-readable medium that is not a transitory signal comprising program instructions for performing the steps of:

• receiving a specification of a class network;
• receiving a specification of a process hierarchy, wherein the process hierarchy includes process steps;
• acquiring pixel values of an image that includes cell components, wherein certain of the cell components are marked using fluorescence in situ hybridization;
• performing the process steps of the process hierarchy to generate a data network that includes an object, wherein the data network is generated by linking selected pixel values to the object based on the class network;
• and
• counting the marked cell components using the data network.

A method comprising:

• specifying a class network;
• specifying a process hierarchy;
• acquiring pixel values of an image that includes a cell component, wherein the cell component is marked using fluorescence in situ hybridization;
• generating an object of a data network based on the class network and the process hierarchy, wherein the object corresponds to the cell component;
• and
• determining a characteristic of the cell component using the data network.