Neuroanatomical Analysis
MBF Bioscience design quantitative imaging software for stereology, neuron reconstruction and image analysis, integrated with the
world’s leading microscope systems to empower your research. Their development team and staff scientists are actively engaged with
leading bioscience researchers, constantly working to refine their products.
Website: https://www.mbfbioscience.com
Automatic 3D Neuron Reconstruction and Quantitative Analysis
Neurolucida 360 is a premier tool used by neuroscientists to quickly and accurately reconstruct intricate neuronal structures that
range in scale from complex, multicellular networks of neurons to sub-cellular dendritic spines and putative synapses.
With the sophistication to analyze specific neuronal structures such as axons, basal dendrites, apical dendrites, and
axon-carrying dendrites, you can completely reconstruct and analyze any neuron in any species.
The most advanced image detection algorithms allow you to confidently reconstruct cells using a variety of labelling and
microscopy techniques.
Quantify Neuronal Morphology
Automatic neuron reconstruction for creating and analyzing realistic, meaningful, and quantifiable neuron reconstructions from
microscope images. Perform detailed morphometric analyses of neurons, such as quantifying:
- the number of dendrites, axons, nodes, synapses, and spines
- the length, width, and volume of dendrites and axons
- the area and volume of the soma
- the complexity and extension of neurons
Automatic Detection and Modeling
Neurolucida 360 is uniquely designed to automatically model, classify and quantify dendritic spines in 3D. Spines are
automatically classified by type (i.e., mushroom, filipodia, stubby, thin as described in the scientific literature). It is also
designed to model and quantify somas, varicosities, and synapses.
- Detect and Classify Spines
- Trace Branches and Detect Varicosities
- Trace Golgi Stained Neurons
- Reconstruct Neurons from Cleared Tissue
Real-time Interactive 3D Visualization
As you work with increasingly bigger and more complex image data, high performance 3D visualization has become indispensable to
effective data interpretation.
MBF’s software includes a highly versatile 3D visualization environment suitable to most microscopy images with state-of-the-art
functionalities to support your analysis and publication needs.
- Visualize large, complex 3D images (including multichannel images) and reconstructions
- 2D and 3D image data from two-photon, confocal, brightfield or light sheet microscopy
- 3D volume, image slicing, and simultaneous views
- Multiple projections: XY, YZ, XZ, alpha, minimum, and maximum
- Transparency, rendering (wireframe, centerline, surface, texture) and other display options for image and traces than can be
adjusted on the fly
- Create dynamic movies
- Export options including exporting 3D graphics to third-party applications
- Loads complex surfaces in seconds
- Works with the most advanced “gaming class” graphics cards to deliver high performance at an affordable price
How can Neurolucida 360 help you?
Image courtesy: Confocal microscopy image of a human neocortical neuron injected with Lucifer Yellow, showing
3D-reconstructed dendrites and spines superimposed on the confocal image. Authors: Ruth Benavides-Piccione, Isabel Fernaud,
Asta Kastenauskaite and Javier DeFelipe.
- Run analyses that exactly match your research questions
- A ready to use solution with no need for programming skills or the creation of supplementary scripts (e.g., MatLab)
- Use it on a wide range of research specimens, from the sub-micrometer level (synapses) to the macrolevel (mapping projection
neurons)
- Use the stains and visualization techniques that fit your research paradigm including Golgi, 2D, expansion microscopy,
clarity,
iDISCO, uDISCO, confocal, two-photon
- Work with equipment in your facility, virtually all microscope image formats are supported
- Consult with our expert neuroscientists to get recommendations on the best means to analyze your experimental data
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The Most Advanced System for Neuron Tracing and Reconstruction, Quantitative Neuron Analysis, and 3D Brain Mapping
Neurolucida is a microscopy system specifically designed for performing accurate neuron reconstructions directly from histological
specimens. It is capable of over 500 quantitative morphometric analyses, including:
- the number of dendrites, axons, nodes, synapses, and spines
- the length, width, and volume of dendrites and axons
- the area and volume of somas
- the complexity and extension of neurons
Neurolucida Works with Brightfield, Multi-Channel Fluorescence, Confocal, and Structured Illumination Microscopes
Microscopy hardware and Neurolucida software work in harmony to deliver a powerful, seamless neuron reconstruction system. A
typical system includes a microscope, computer, and Neurolucida software. Most of what is visible through the oculars is
displayed
on the computer monitor with Neurolucida.
Neurolucida fully integrates with your microscope and associated hardware to reduce manual work and to speed up data collection.
It can:
- control motorized stages
- control cameras to change or save settings for future use
- operate the focus knob or change objectives
- change filter turrets, filter wheels, and mirror cubes when acquiring fluorescent images or image stacks
Neurolucida has been cited in over 6,000 published research papers.
3D Brain Mapping
Neurolucida has advanced tools for creating and analyzing 3D reconstructions of brain and spinal cord specimens.
- Map and analyze a long neuronal pathway
- Map the distribution of cells in a region of interest
- Quantify volume for studies looking at volume change, such as the atrophy of the striatum in a specimen that has the
Huntington’s gene expressed, or the volume of lesions that appear in a region of interest.
- Analyze the distribution of objects in a region of interest and find the proximity of one object to another or find the
distance between the object and an anatomical boundary.
- Read about how scientists used Neurolucida to map memories
Serial Section Reconstruction
Serial sections are tissue sections that have been cut sequentially with a microtome. To obtain morphometric data about neurons
or
structures that extend beyond a single tissue section, researchers often create a serial section reconstruction – a digital
representation of the serial tissue sections. This method includes tracing the outline of each tissue section at low
magnification
and tracing the neuron or structure of interest in each tissue section at a higher magnification. This can be done at the
microscope or from images with Neurolucida, which has tools to help make this process easier. For example, Neurolucida has an
automatic contouring tool to help you trace the outline of the tissue specimen or trace an anatomical boundary within the
specimen.
Capture Image Stacks and Whole Slide Images with Neurolucida
Neurolucida can capture 2D (x,y) and 3D (x,y,z) whole slide images (high resolution digital images of your specimen) with the
addition of the 2D or 3D Slide Scanning Module, but Neurolucida also supports whole slide images from providers such as Aperio
and
Hamamatsu. Working with whole slide images gives you the freedom to create neuron reconstructions and analyze them on any
computer
(even those not connected to a microscope), and also gives you a permanent digital file of your specimen that can be easily
stored
on Biolucida, MBF’s image viewing, sharing, and storing application.
Automatic Cell Detection and Mapping
Identify labeled neurons in whole slide images using an intuitive cell detection workflow. Our sophisticated detection algorithm
is robust against histologic and imaging artifacts such as edge effects, uneven illumination, and variable staining across
specimens.
Neurolucida Add-On Modules
- Image Montaging –
Digitally re-create a complete region of interest or an entire specimen in 3D or 2D for analysis, archiving or sharing
- Image Stacks – Capture and
analyze 3D image stacks
- Structured
Illumination – An Affordable, Fully Integrated Quantitative Confocal System
- 2D Slide Scanning –
Create, view, and analyze an entire specimen in a single high-resolution image
- 3D Slide Scanning –
3D
Whole Slide Imaging for image analysis, sharing or archiving
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