Localizer: fast, accurate, open-source, and modular software package for superresolution microscopy

J Biomed Opt. 2012 Dec;17(12):126008. doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.17.12.126008.

Abstract

We present Localizer, a freely available and open source software package that implements the computational data processing inherent to several types of superresolution fluorescence imaging, such as localization (PALM/STORM/GSDIM) and fluctuation imaging (SOFI/pcSOFI). Localizer delivers high accuracy and performance and comes with a fully featured and easy-to-use graphical user interface but is also designed to be integrated in higher-level analysis environments. Due to its modular design, Localizer can be readily extended with new algorithms as they become available, while maintaining the same interface and performance. We provide front-ends for running Localizer from Igor Pro, Matlab, or as a stand-alone program. We show that Localizer performs favorably when compared with two existing superresolution packages, and to our knowledge is the only freely available implementation of SOFI/pcSOFI microscopy. By dramatically improving the analysis performance and ensuring the easy addition of current and future enhancements, Localizer strongly improves the usability of superresolution imaging in a variety of biomedical studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • Image Enhancement / methods*
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / methods*
  • Programming Languages*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Software Validation
  • Software*