Optimized feature-characteristic determination used for extracting feature data from microarray data

摘要

A method and system for computing or using a larger region of interest (“ROI”) for each feature in the digital image of a microarray, in order to facilitate an analysis of the pixel-intensity distribution in or surrounding each feature, without incorporating pixels of adjacent features into the ROI. A cross-shaped ROI is computed for each feature. The cross-shaped ROI can be efficiently computed, and can in some embodiments at least double the number of pixels contained within the ROI with respect to standard, square or rectangular ROIs, without suffering centroid-displacement artifacts arising from differences in the intensities or adjacent features, irregularities of adjacent feature sizes, misalignment of adjacent feature positions, and other such phenomena. Examples of cross-shaped ROIs include a square or rectangular ROI with disc-shaped or rectangular erosions, centered at the corners of the square or rectangle, which may also be employed to also provide a greater number of pixels in the ROI without suffering from centroid displacement. Additional complex-shaped ROIs may be employed.