New Software Application Quantifies Changes in Dendritic Spine Morphology Over Time

Williston, VT — December 10, 2019 — The ability to track the changes that occur in dendritic spine morphology over time is critical to many scientific studies, which is why MBF Bioscience is pleased to announce the launch of MicroDynamix. This powerful new software application helps neuroscientists acquire more information about morphological changes in the brain with impressive speed. MicroDynamix also offers the ability to visualize and quantify dendritic spine morphology over time.

After loading image data acquired at different time points from in vivo and in vitro imaging sessions, MicroDynamix automatically aligns the images in 3D, then reconstructs dendritic branches, detects dendritic spines, and identifies important metrics — such as length, thickness, and overall number, for accurate quantitative comparison.

Since all images are managed within a single framework, the research process is streamlined, saving neuroscientists time in the laboratory that would otherwise be spent locating and manually finding the same spine. MicroDynamix also offers researchers the ability to view two 3D images side-by-side — an invaluable feature for tracking the changes that occur in dendritic spine morphology over time.

Over the course of an experiment, researchers have the ability to upload new images and compare the same region at different time points with MicroDynamix thanks to the software’s sophisticated algorithms. Dendrites and spines are automatically associated across images, so that the same dendrite imaged at any timepoint — two days later, two weeks later, or two months later is automatically detected and identified. The researcher is then able to very clearly view and quantify the changes in morphology that may or may not have occurred.

The software also includes customizable graphs, which give researchers the ability to present their data visually. Key metrics, such as the number and density of spines per time point; head diameter, plane angle, and luminance of individual spines; as well as the total number of spines within a specific region can all be clearly presented in tabular and graph form.

“MicroDynamix provides researchers with the unprecedented capability to get more information about changes in dendritic spines observed in repeated imaging experiments,” says MBF Bioscience President Jack Glaser. “We’re so pleased to announce the launch of this powerful new product for visualizing and quantifying spine morphology over time.”

To learn more about MicroDynamix visit https://www.mbfbioscience.com/microdynamix 

About MBF Bioscience: MBF Bioscience creates quantitative imaging and visualization software for stereology, neuron reconstruction, vascular analysis, c. elegans behavior analysis and medical education, integrated with the world’s leading microscope systems, to empower research.

Our development team and staff scientists are actively engaged with leading bioscience researchers, constantly working to refine our products based on state-of-the-art scientific advances in the field.

Founded as MicroBrightField, Inc. in 1988, we changed our name to MBF Bioscience in 2005 to reflect the expansion of our products and services to new microscopy techniques in all fields of biological research and education. While we continue to specialize in neuroscience research, our products are also used extensively in the research fields of stem cells, lung, kidney, cardiac, cancer, and toxicology.

MBF Bioscience has grown into a global business, with offices in North America, Europe, Japan, and China, and a dealer network active on five continents. Our commitment to innovative products and unrivaled customer support has gained high praise from distinguished scientists who use our products all over the world. Our flagship products Stereo Investigator and Neurolucida are the most widely-used analysis systems for stereology and neuron reconstruction.

For more information visit www.mbfbioscience.com or follow MBF Bioscience on FacebookTwitter, and LinkedIn, and track our NeuroArt.com contest on Instagram.