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A computerized system for measuring cell length of single isolated smooth muscle cells
Author(s) -
Moummi Chafiq,
Woodford Mark
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
drug development research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.582
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1098-2299
pISSN - 0272-4391
DOI - 10.1002/ddr.430250407
Subject(s) - minicomputer , smooth muscle , computer science , cell counting , computer vision , cell , biomedical engineering , muscle contraction , artificial intelligence , chemistry , medicine , anatomy , biochemistry , cell cycle , operating system
We have developed a state‐of‐the‐art computerized system to measure the cell length (contraction/relaxation) of single isolated gastrointestinal smooth muscle cells in response to different drugs. The system is composed of a microscope to which a video camera is attached and a video monitor which is connected to the video camera output. The image on the TV screen is analyzed by a digital image processor. The data acquisition and initial analysis are done directly on a personal computer. The acquired data are sent immediately via a network to a database on a minicomputer. From this database, comprehensive data reports and graphs can be generated and hard copy obtained. The system was validated by testing the contractile activity of endothelin‐1 and the relaxant effect of isoproterenol on single smooth muscle cells isolated from the rat colon. This system offers a valuable pharmacological tool for drug screening to the pharmaceutical industry. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.