Acquisition of a video image processor for motion analysis

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The studies in this proposal are focused on the analysis of motion by living organisms or individual cells either through live video image or videotaped records of movement patterns. The CellTrakTM motion analysis system, with its proprietary video processor, is the primary instrument in the request. CellTrakTM is based on video "frame-grabber" technology: digitization of the video frames and subsequent computerized analysis of the digitized images in a time framework. It has been designed to trace paths of movement from video records and then analyze the path shapes using algorithms that calculate speed, direction, frequency of turning, path length, and other parameters related to motion. CellTrakTM will be used in three distinct areas of research: 1) to analyze the social correlates of foraging behavior of ants; 2) to examine chemotactic swimming behavior of scallop sperm in relation to egg-derived attractants and fertilization; 3) to investigate the role of specific membrane receptors and trans-membrane ion fluxes in chemosensory behavior of Paramecium. The requested equipment also includes a static image processor software accessory (BioscanR OptimasTM) which will be used in conjunction with CellTrakTM for the analysis of low-contrast video images or whenever contrast enhancement preprocessing is necessary before accurate analysis of movement can be obtained.