Segmentation and analysis of DNA replication sites using deformable models

Image segmentation is an important aspect of biomedical image analysis. Here we discuss the implementation of a system for segmentation of confocal electron microscope images of DNA within from rat liver cell nuclei. Segmentation is achieved using controlled continuity splines or "Snakes" proposed by Kass, Witkin and Terzopoulos [1]. A snake is an energy minimizing spline guided by external constraint forces and influenced by image forces that pull it toward features such as lines and edges. They are active contour models. They lock onto nearby edges, localizing them accurately. Snakes have been used here successfully to extract the nuclear boundary from confocal electron microscope images of rat liver nuclei.