Image analyzers for bioscience applications.

Image analysis systems are becoming more sophosticated, less costly, and very common in research laboratories. Therefore, the bioscience researcher is faced with a bewildering array of choices in establishing an image analysis facility. Critical components and characteristics of commercial image analyzers are discussed. State-of-the-art systems feature a graphical user interface, a powerful operating system (e.g., Microsoft OS/2), 1000 line image acquisition, processing and display, true color imaging, and very flexible scanner interfaces. Such systems are best suited to technically difficult applications, such as ratio fluorescence, or to automated analysis of anatomical features, particularly in stained material. Less powerful image analyzers offer medium resolution, and typically work with monochrome data acquired from video cameras. Such systems are suitable for many bioscience applications, including quantitative autoradiography and routine morphometry.