Automated DNA array image segmentation and analysis

A method for segmentation of a frame of image information including a plurality of spaced DNA spot images corresponding to a plurality of DNA spots, said image information including image intensity level information corresponding to said DNA spots, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) storing the frame of image information in memory;
• (b) selecting a set of image information within said frame including a selected set of the DNA spot images;
• (c) generating a grid in memory, the grid including a plurality of spaced grid points corresponding to said selected set of DNA spot images, the grid points having a predefined relationship, each grid point including position information indicating the position of the grid point within said image frame;
• (d) segmenting the selected set of image information by selecting at least one image segment defining a segment area around a grid point and including a spot image;
• and
• (e) quantifying at least a portion of image information in said image segment to obtain image characteristic values for said image segment,
• wherein the frame of image information includes a plurality of pixels each having an intensity level, and wherein the step of quantifying includes:
• (i) selecting a subset of said pixels in said image segment, (ii) computing a first image characteristic value as a function of at least a portion of the intensities of the selected pixel values, and (iii) computing a second image characteristic value as a function of intensities of at least a portion of pixels proximate said subset of pixels.

A software system for configuring a computer system comprising a processor, and memory, for segmentation of a frame of image information including a plurality of spaced DNA spot images corresponding to a plurality of DNA spots, said image information including image intensity level and intra frame position information corresponding to said DNA spots, the software system comprising program instructions for:

• (a) storing the frame of image information in memory;
• (b) selecting a set of image information within said frame including a selected set of the DNA spot images;
• (c) generating a grid in memory, the grid including a plurality of spaced grid points corresponding to said selected set of DNA spot images, the grid points having a predefined relationship, each grid point including position information indicating the position of the grid point within said image frame;
• (d) segmenting the selected set of image information by selecting at least one image segment defining a segment area around a grid point and including a spot image;
• and
• (e) quantifying at least a portion of image information in said image segment to obtain image characteristic values for said image segment,
• wherein the frame of image information includes a plurality of pixels each having an intensity level, and wherein the program instructions for quantifying include program instructions for:
• (i) sorting all the pixel intensities within said image segment, (ii) selecting a portion of said pixels, (iii) computing an image characteristic value for the selected pixel values as function of the intensities of at least a portion of the selected pixel value.

A software system for configuring a computer system comprising a processor, and memory, for segmentation of a frame of image information including a plurality of spaced DNA spot images corresponding to a plurality of DNA spots, said image information including image intensity level and intra frame position information corresponding to said DNA spots, the software system comprising program instructions for:

• (a) storing the frame of image information in memory;
• (b) selecting a set of image information within said frame including a selected set of the DNA spot images;
• (c) generating a grid in memory, the grid including a plurality of spaced grid points corresponding to said selected set of DNA spot images, the grid points having a predefined relationship, each grid point including position information indicating the position of the grid point within said image frame;
• (d) segmenting the selected set of image information by selecting at least one image segment defining a segment area around a grid point and including a spot image;
• and
• (e) quantifying at least a portion of image information in said image segment to obtain image characteristic values for said image segment,
• wherein the frame image information includes a plurality of pixels each having an intensity level, and wherein the program instructions for quantifying include program instructions for:
• (i) selecting a subset of said pixels in said image segment, (ii) computing a first image characteristic value as a function of at least a portion of the intensities of the selected pixel values, and (iii) computing a second image characteristic value as a function of intensities of at least a portion of pixels proximate said subset of pixels.