Computerized image analysis for determining micronucleus frequency.

A method for the computerized automation of micronucleus scoring is presented. The task is to identify the cultured, cytokinesis-blocked peripheral lymphocytes (CB cells) and their micronuclei (MN). The main parts of the hardware are the video camera attached to the microscope, the IBM-compatible personal computer with the video digitizer card, and the computer-controlled stage movement unit. The computerized image processing is based on determination and interpretation of contour lines of the CB cells, nuclei, and MN. The BNCTEST image processing software has been developed up to the demonstration phase, and now it has been prepared for the testing period of image series on a large scale.