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. 2013 Mar 4:2:68.
doi: 10.12688/f1000research.2-68.v1. eCollection 2013.

The Focal Adhesion Analysis Server: a web tool for analyzing focal adhesion dynamics

Affiliations

The Focal Adhesion Analysis Server: a web tool for analyzing focal adhesion dynamics

Matthew E Berginski et al. F1000Res. .

Abstract

The Focal Adhesion Analysis Server (FAAS) is a web-based implementation of a set of computer vision algorithms designed to quantify the behavior of focal adhesions in cells imaged in 2D cultures. The input consists of one or more images of a labeled focal adhesion protein. The outputs of the system include a range of static and dynamic measurements for the adhesions present in each image as well as how these properties change over time. The user is able to adjust several parameters important for proper focal adhesion identification. This system provides a straightforward tool for the global, unbiased assessment of focal adhesion behavior common in optical microscopy studies. The webserver is available at: http://faas.bme.unc.edu/.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: No competing interests were disclosed.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Sample input images and output visualization from the focal adhesion processing pipeline.
The results section shows examples from the visualizations produced by the pipeline. In the top example, the entire cell is shown, with an individual adhesion outlined and tracked through time. The bottom three examples show single adhesions, outlined in green, with other nearby adhesions outlined in blue.

References

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