In partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Master of Science

Tri Le
will defend his thesis

Image Processing and Analysis:Filtering for 2D Gel Electrophoresis Image

Abstract

Image filtering has always been an important step in image processing as well as for the analysis on images in bioinformatics and two-dimensional (2D) gel protein electrophoresis images. 2D gel image processing and analysis has been developing rapidly over the past 20 years due to the increased significance of gel electrophoresis in molecular biology. The extremely noisy background and local artifacts found on the 2D gel image generate much concern. These noises hinder the researcher’s or analyst’s ability to successfully detect protein spots in addition to complicating image comparison procedures. In order to resolve these issues, we have developed a procedure that provides a suitable filter to reduce background noise while improving the clarity of a 2D gel image. The proposed procedure, called the Efficient Average Filter contains three steps. First we create a background noise image by using a special case of the Gaussian algorithm. Then we subtract the background image from the original image acquiring a “clean” image. Finally we clarify the protein spots by using the Increasing Contrast algorithm to adjust the intensity of the image.

Date: Thursday, September 25, 2003
Time: 01:30 PM
Place: 550-PGH

Faculty, students, and the general public are invited.
Thesis Advisor: Dr. Yuriy Fofanov