MAUI (MBI Analysis User Interface)—An image processing pipeline for Multiplexed Mass Based Imaging

• Published in: PLoS computational biology Vol. 17; no. 4; p. e1008887
• Main Authors: Baranski, Alex, Milo, Idan, Greenbaum, Shirley, Oliveria, John-Paul, Mrdjen, Dunja, Angelo, Michael, Keren, Leeat
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 01.04.2021; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Aggregates; Algorithms; Antibodies; Biology and Life Sciences; Charities; Computer and Information Sciences; Crosstalk; Defense programs; Grants; Graphical user interface; Image processing; Interfaces; Ion beams; Mass spectrometry; Methods; Noise; Parameters; Physical Sciences; Proteins; Research and Analysis Methods; Scientific imaging; Software; Stockholders; Subject specialists; Time-of-flight mass spectrometry; Tissues; User interface; User interfaces; Italy
• ISSN: 1553-7358; 1553-734X; 1553-7358
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008887

Mass Based Imaging (MBI) technologies such as Multiplexed Ion Beam Imaging by time of flight (MIBI-TOF) and Imaging Mass Cytometry (IMC) allow for the simultaneous measurement of the expression levels of 40 or more proteins in biological tissue, providing insight into cellular phenotypes and organization in situ . Imaging artifacts, resulting from the sample, assay or instrumentation complicate downstream analyses and require correction by domain experts. Here, we present MBI Analysis User Interface (MAUI), a series of graphical user interfaces that facilitate this data pre-processing, including the removal of channel crosstalk, noise and antibody aggregates. Our software streamlines these steps and accelerates processing by enabling real-time and interactive parameter tuning across multiple images.