twoPIC

twoPIC is a software tool designed for the analysis of two-photon microscopy data. It is developed to streamline the process of extracting meaningful information from the large datasets generated by this imaging technique. The primary function of twoPIC is to facilitate the segmentation and tracking of fluorescently labeled cells or structures within time-series image stacks. This enables researchers to quantify changes in cellular activity or morphology over time.

The software typically offers features for pre-processing raw image data, such as noise reduction and drift correction, to improve the accuracy of subsequent analysis. Its core capabilities include automated or semi-automated identification of individual cellular units. Once segmented, twoPIC allows for the tracking of these identified units across multiple frames in the time-series, providing trajectories and measures of their movement. Furthermore, it can compute various quantitative metrics, such as fluorescence intensity changes, calcium transients, or other signal fluctuations within the tracked regions of interest.

twoPIC is often used in neuroscience research to study neuronal activity, but its applications can extend to other biological fields where two-photon microscopy is employed for dynamic imaging of biological processes. The tool aims to provide a user-friendly interface while maintaining the analytical rigor required for scientific research.