Optical and magnetic resonance imaging modalities offer complimentary and unprecedented views into the developing brain. The increasing intricacy of these imaging methods makes them difficult to incorporate into the research program of a non-expert. The rapid expanding complexity and volume of the data make interpretation, visualization, and sharing of information increasing problematical. We have therefore, embarked on an effort to apply newly emerging computational techniques to in vivo optical and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the developing brain.
Multi-resolution image matching is used to meld into a coherent whole the information obtained through different imaging modalities at different spatial and temporal resolutions. Teleological modeling is being developed as a method of optimizing data collection and rendering. Experiments used in developing and validating these informatics methods involve obtaining images of the intact developing brain, in a number of species, repeatedly over time, with different imaging modalities. Laser scanning confocal microscopy, two-photon microscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging microscopy are all used in these studies. The different imaging modalities emphasize different aspects of the developing brain. The high temporal and spatial resolution of the optical techniques makes them ideal for real-time imaging to follow the patterning of axons and cell bodies in the developing nervous system. The ability of MR imaging to 'see' inside dense tissue makes it ideal for following the elaboration of anatomical structure in the developing nervous system. The development of "smart" MRI contrast agents points to the feasibility of assessing changes in the physiological state of cells and monitoring gene expression patterns in living animals. These efforts are a combination of tool building (both hardware and software), data collection and analysis, sharing of the voluminous data with the neuroscience community, and hypothesis testing using the information obtained.
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