Workstation for image processing and analysis

生物标本的显微成像代表了从分子和细胞生物学到生理学和系统学等各种研究学科的重要组成部分。在过去十年中，随着彩色印刷和联机出版选择的增加，视觉文件的重要性大大增加。生物研究所（IRBV）配备了极好的成像设备，包括光学（包括共聚焦）和电子显微镜。为了能够满足用户的需求，该设施需要配备最先进的图像处理和分析工作站。采集后的图像处理已成为至关重要的，以真正了解一个标本的生物学，并将结构和动力学功能。从图像中提取定量数据增加了科学研究的价值，并且以表面渲染3D结构的形式进行可视化表示，使更广泛的受众可以访问它们。因此，顶级期刊通常需要使用这两种功能。工作站将适用于所有类型的显微镜，从光和荧光显微镜到电子和显微镜。研究所的几个研究项目将从这种设备的可用性中获益匪浅，这些设备将提供给蒙特里萨大学的研究生和科学家以及外部用户。

Microscopical imaging of biological specimens represents a crucial component of a variety of research disciplines ranging from molecular and cell biology to physiology and systematics. The importance of visual documentation has significantly increased in the past decade with the increased availability of color printing and online publication options. The Institut de recherche en biologie végétale (IRBV) is equipped with an excellent imaging facility that comprises both optical (including confocal) and electron microscopes. To be able to respond to the needs of the users, the facility needs to be complemented with a state-of-the-art workstation for image processing and analysis. Post-acquisition treatment of images has become crucial in order to truly understand the biology of a specimen and to relate structure and dynamics to function. The extraction of quantitative data from images augments the value of scientific studies and their visual representation in form of surface rendered 3D structures makes them accessible to a wider audience. Top journals therefore commonly require the use of both of these features. The workstation will useful for all types of microscopy ranging from light and fluorescence microscopy to electron and microscopy. Several research programs at the IRBV would greatly profit from the availability of this equipment, which will be accessible to graduate students and scientists of the Université de Montréal as well as to external users.