CoLocalizer Pro
Encyclopedia
CoLocalizer Pro is a scientific software application, developed by CoLocalization Research Software, that allows researchers to analyze colocalization
in the images obtained using fluorescence microscopy. Due to high popularity of Macintosh
computers in medicine and biology, the software is designed specifically for Mac OS X
operating system. To bring the full advantage of Mac OS X, it is written exclusively in Cocoa. The software is a Universal
application with both Intel and PowerPC
compatibility. CoLocalizer Pro is used in universities and research institutions worldwide. Lite version of the software, CoLocalizer Express, is geared toward students and beginners.
In October 2011 issue, renown Nature Protocols
published a CoLocalizer Pro-based protocol to quantify spatial correlations of fluorescent markers. The protocol described in details the steps needed to be taken to perform quantification of colocalization of synergetic proteins.
by calculating several specialized coefficients and prepares obtained results for presentation and publication. The following coefficients can be calculated: Pearson's correlation coefficient (Rr), overlap coefficient (R), overlap coefficients k1-k2, colocalization coefficients m1-m2, and colocalization coefficients M1-M2. The workflow is designed to ensure that the results are accurate and reproducible. To provide the accuracy, the image background noise is corrected (removed) prior to the analysis and therefore does not impact the results. The information about the degree of colocalization of proteins can play a role in understanding their functional significance with various medical and biological implications.
CoLocalizer Pro is currently at version 2.6.1 and is continued to be developed by the CoLocalization Research Software team. The software capitalizes on its strength in the implementation of the background correction functionality. Its another notable feature is the option to save the results of coefficients calculations and image analysis as session reports with all the data combined in a single file for compact storage and further reference.
Colocalization
In fluorescence microscopy, colocalization refers to observation of the spatial overlap between two different fluorescent labels, each having a separate emission wavelength, to see if the different "targets" are located in the same area of the cell or very near to one another...
in the images obtained using fluorescence microscopy. Due to high popularity of Macintosh
Macintosh
The Macintosh , or Mac, is a series of several lines of personal computers designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. The first Macintosh was introduced by Apple's then-chairman Steve Jobs on January 24, 1984; it was the first commercially successful personal computer to feature a mouse and a...
computers in medicine and biology, the software is designed specifically for Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
operating system. To bring the full advantage of Mac OS X, it is written exclusively in Cocoa. The software is a Universal
Universal binary
A universal binary is, in Apple parlance, an executable file or application bundle that runs natively on either PowerPC or Intel-manufactured IA-32 or Intel 64-based Macintosh computers; it is an implementation of the concept more generally known as a fat binary.With the release of Mac OS X Snow...
application with both Intel and PowerPC
PowerPC
PowerPC is a RISC architecture created by the 1991 Apple–IBM–Motorola alliance, known as AIM...
compatibility. CoLocalizer Pro is used in universities and research institutions worldwide. Lite version of the software, CoLocalizer Express, is geared toward students and beginners.
In October 2011 issue, renown Nature Protocols
Nature Protocols
Nature Protocols, published by the Nature Publishing Group, is an on-line scientific journal publishing methods in a recipe-style format. The journal was launched in June 2006 and the content includes both classical methods and cutting-edge techniques relevant to the study of biological problems...
published a CoLocalizer Pro-based protocol to quantify spatial correlations of fluorescent markers. The protocol described in details the steps needed to be taken to perform quantification of colocalization of synergetic proteins.
Overview
CoLocalizer Pro estimates the degree of colocalizationColocalization
In fluorescence microscopy, colocalization refers to observation of the spatial overlap between two different fluorescent labels, each having a separate emission wavelength, to see if the different "targets" are located in the same area of the cell or very near to one another...
by calculating several specialized coefficients and prepares obtained results for presentation and publication. The following coefficients can be calculated: Pearson's correlation coefficient (Rr), overlap coefficient (R), overlap coefficients k1-k2, colocalization coefficients m1-m2, and colocalization coefficients M1-M2. The workflow is designed to ensure that the results are accurate and reproducible. To provide the accuracy, the image background noise is corrected (removed) prior to the analysis and therefore does not impact the results. The information about the degree of colocalization of proteins can play a role in understanding their functional significance with various medical and biological implications.
Features
- Compatible with images created by all major brands of fluorescence microscopes
- All calculations can be performed without the need to be connected to a microscopeMicroscopeA microscope is an instrument used to see objects that are too small for the naked eye. The science of investigating small objects using such an instrument is called microscopy...
- Unique background correction tools guarantee reliability of quantification
- Calculates coefficients on the image's and scatter gram's regions of interest (ROIRegion of interestA Region of Interest, often abbreviated ROI, is a selected subset of samples within a dataset identified for a particular purpose.For example:* on a waveform , a time or frequency interval...
) - Reveals colocalized and selected on the scatter gram ROI pixels, traces pixels of a particular color
- Exports data in various file formats, such as Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Excel is a proprietary commercial spreadsheet application written and distributed by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. It features calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications...
, TextText fileA text file is a kind of computer file that is structured as a sequence of lines of electronic text. A text file exists within a computer file system...
, PDF, and HTMLHTMLHyperText Markup Language is the predominant markup language for web pages. HTML elements are the basic building-blocks of webpages.... - Integrated with iLifeILifeiLife is a suite of software applications developed by Apple for organizing, editing, and publishing photos, movies, and music. The suite comprises five applications: iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, GarageBand, and iWeb, all of which run on the Mac OS X operating system....
software suite
CoLocalizer Pro is currently at version 2.6.1 and is continued to be developed by the CoLocalization Research Software team. The software capitalizes on its strength in the implementation of the background correction functionality. Its another notable feature is the option to save the results of coefficients calculations and image analysis as session reports with all the data combined in a single file for compact storage and further reference.