EllipTrack

EllipTrack performs global-local cell tracking in 2D fluorescence time-lapse microscopy to construct accurate single-cell lineages for long-term studies.

Key Features:

• Hybrid global-local tracking: Combines global track-linking with a local track-correction module to improve tracking accuracy.
• Global track-linking algorithm: Constructs cell lineages by selecting trajectories with the highest overall probability.
• Local track-correction module: Systematically reviews global tracks and replaces segments when more probable alternatives are identified.
• Robustness to challenging conditions: Handles rapid cell migration, high cell density, and dynamic morphology or behavior changes from drug treatments.
• Adaptation to variable migration speeds: Adjusts to time- and cell-density-dependent changes in migration without requiring extensive training datasets.
• Benchmark performance: Demonstrated near error-free cell lineages across multiple large-scale movies when compared to state-of-the-art trackers.

Scientific Applications:

• Developmental biology: Tracking single-cell dynamics over extended periods to study developmental processes.
• Cancer research: Monitoring cell migration, proliferation, and lineage relationships in tumor models.
• Pharmacology: Assessing cellular responses and behavioral changes under drug treatments over time.

Methodology:

EllipTrack applies a hybrid approach: a global track-linking algorithm builds the most probable cell lineages, and a local track-correction module systematically reviews and corrects tracks by substituting more probable alternatives.