Performance evaluation of a second-generation metaphase finder for chromosome-based radiation dosimetry.

Abstract

In this thesis an automated chromosome detection system will be described. The biological and clinical background for the need of such a system is presented with emphasis on cell biology. Work was done on three versions of the autofocusing algorithm as well as on two versions of the chromosome detection algorithm. Extensive testing was done to determine the best versions of these algorithms and additional program functionality was used to carry out this testing. The results of the testing on the autofocusing algorithms are presented in graphs that show a peak when the image is properly focused. The results of the testing and optimisation of the chromosome detection algorithms are displayed in Receiver Operating Characteristic curves. These curves allow the user to pick a point of algorithm functioning which yield an acceptable quantity of well formed chromosome spreads or True Positives along with a given proportion of poorly formed chromosome spreads or False Positives. The accuracy of the final algorithms are well within the desired limits.