IMAGING CORE

C.成像核心图 数字图像采集和分析是该中心研究目标的关键。目前有 15名中心调查人员及其研究团队积极使用多个共享硬件/软件 图像采集和分析系统。计算机辅助图像处理的应用现状 跨越广泛的复杂性，包括1)使用交钥匙系统，如共焦显微镜或 通过光学显微镜和电子显微镜获取图像的数字光学显微镜；2)使用交互式 自动提取2-D和3-D定量信息的“计算机辅助解剖学”系统 来自组织切片；3)定制用于3-D重建和渲染的软件包 系列图像堆栈以帮助可视化和理解复杂的形态关系， 和4)用于在新兴领域创建图像分析范例的软件开发 脑部功能成像。 成像核心的目标是提供中心所需的专业知识和技术支持 调查人员将充分受益于这一快速变化的硬件/软件中可用的研究工具 并在实际可行的情况下向更广泛的科学工作者传播在这里开发的成像工具 为了实现这一目标，成像核心将在几个层面上提供支持。 AIM 1(图像采集)提供设施维护、用户培训和/或图像采集 关于新的共享共焦显微镜和共享数字图像采集系统的服务 电子显微镜。 目标2(图像分析和处理)满足了对相关的中央基础的需求 图像分析和软件开发方面的知识和专业知识，以帮助1)匹配软件 在存在良好匹配的情况下具有研究目标的应用程序，2)在以下情况下所需的软件定制 可以修改现有的应用程序或应用程序组以满足特定需求和3)从头开始 当没有其他好的解决方案时，开发图像处理软件工具。 目标3(传播)建议进一步发展虚拟教研工具和 继续赞助一个网站，向更大的科学界提供这些资料。

C. Imaging Core Plan Digital image acquisition and analysis are key to the research goals of the Center. There are currently 15 Center Investigators and their research teams actively using a number of shared hardware/software systems for image acquisition and analysis. Current applications of computer-assisted image processing span a wide range of complexity including 1) use of turn-key systems such as confocal microscopy or digital photomicroscopy for image acquisition through light and electron microscopes; 2) use of interactive "computer-aided anatomy" systems for automating the extraction of quantitative information in 2-D and 3-D from histological sections; 3) customization of software packages for 3-D reconstruction and rendering from serial image stacks to aid in the visualization and understanding of complex morphological relationships, and 4) software development for the creation of image-analysis paradigms in the emerging field of functional brain imaging. The goals of the Imaging Core are to provide the expertise and technical support required for Center Investigators to derive full benefit from the research tools available in this fast-changing hardware/software environment and to disseminate, where practicaj, the imaging tools developed here to the wider scientific and clinical community To achieve this, the Imaging Core will provide support at several levels. Aim 1 (image acquisition) provides facilities maintenance, user training and/or image-acquisition services on the new shared confocal microscope and shared digital-image acquisition systems for light and electron microscopy. Aim 2 (image analysis and processing) addresses needs for a centralized base of relevant knowledge and expertise in image analysis and software development to aid in 1) the matching of software application with research goals when a good match exists, 2) the customization of software required when existing applications, or groups of applications, can be modified to fit particular needs and 3) the de-novo development of image-processing software tools when no other good solution exists. Aim 3 (dissemination) proposes the further development of virtual teaching and research tools and the continued sponsorship of a website to make them available to the greater scientific community.