Metafer MSearch Metaphase Finder

The fast MSearch metaphase finding software, running on the versatile scanning hardware platform Metafer, helps to vastly increase the throughput in routine and research laboratories. Unattended over night scanning saves valuable daytime for the actual analysis. The superior performance of the system is based on a unique concept bringing together high quality hardware with innovative software algorithms. The scanning time for an average slide in brightfield is less than 6 min.
During the scan detected metaphases are saved as high quality gallery images along with their coordinates. After the scan it takes just one mouse click to relocate any metaphase under the microscope. Metaphases are found in both brightfield and fluorescence. Metafer MSearch comes with classifiers for a variety of standard tissues.
The integrated, interactive classifier training feature provides flexible adaptation to individual needs. Metafer MSearch handles up to 8 slides per search in its standard configuration. Its open concept allows the configuration as stand-alone system as well as in various networked environments, e.g. linked to Ikaros karyotyping or Isis FISH imaging workstations.

Metafer MSearch Options and Links
MSearch relocates metaphases and allows on-screen scoring for aberrations.	more...
The AutoCapt module captures high magnification images of the detected metaphases.	more...
Ikaros and Isis can be seamlessly integrated.	more...
DCScore: automated detection of dicentric chromosomes.	more...
Counting micronuclei with the MicroNuclei software module.	more...
The slide feeder enhances the capacity of Metafer MSearch to 80 slides.	more...

Metaphase relocation, preselection and quality sorting

Once the metaphases are detected by MSearch and the gallery is generated, it is very easy to select and revise the metaphases that are suitable for further analysis. Two screen modi facilitate sorting and pre-selection of objects: the gallery screen displays 24 gallery images (Metafer4) on one screen, and the relocation screen shows a larger live image allowing direct on-screen analysis. Relocation is possible by clicking on the respective gallery image, or by using the buttons of the trackball device while looking down the microscope. Metaphases can be interactively labelled as evaluated, rejected or deleted.
A customizable scoring sheet for the evaluation of chromosomal aberrations can be used in the relocation window, to enter i.e. chromosomal aberration data. The results are stored with the gallery and can be printed or exported together with the search parameters into customizable reports.
During the search a quality score is automatically assigned to each detected object. The order of objects can be re-sorted according to this score, so that the 'best' metaphases (the objects which fit best to the classifier used for the search) are first.

AutoCapt and MSearch

The automated image acquisition software AutoCapt captures high magnification (i.e., 63x or 100x) images from metaphases detected by MSearch. It uses the position list which was generated by MSearch to relocate the metaphases, automatically centres and focusses the images and stores the images ínto the MSearch data file. Images may be captured in the transmitted light  and in fluorescence mode, the latter with up to six color channels. Like all Metafer applications, AutoCapt uses classifiers to adjust the way, how the images are captured. Once the images are generated, they can be exported into various file formats like TIFF, JPEG or BMP. Hereby it is possible to export all images at the same time, or to select subsets or even single images to be exported.
For networked installations, with Ikaros karyotyping or Isis FISH imaging workstations connected to the MSearch system, it is even possible to let AutoCapt export its images into the proprietary file formats of these softwares. Images generated in this way may be easily opened on any external Ikaros or Isis workstation for karyotyping and further analysis.

AutoCapt is a software option for Metafer MSearch.

Integration of Karyotyping and FISH Imaging

Finding a metaphase on the slide is just the first step in the analysis procedure. Therefore the Ikaros karyotyping and Isis FISH imaging system seamlessly integrate into the MSearch system. Since all MetaSystems products are based on a modular architecture, many different installations are conceivable:

• As a basic solution Ikaros and Isis may be installed on the Metafer system and launched directly clicking a button in MSearch. With this configuration Metafer transfers data like case name, slide designation and coordinates into karyotyping or FISH imaging software. Ikaros and Isis may also be integrated as capture module, while the analysis is done on external workstations.
• If the MSearch system is too busy to allow the use of Ikaros and Isis on the same station, the MSearch data may be opened on external relocation system (Relosys). Relosys workstations are equipped with a single slide motorized stage and provide a similar screen like the MSearch system itself. Like in MSearch, metaphases may be relocated and subsequently captured and analyzed in Ikaros or Isis.
• If MSearch is extended with the optional AutoCapt software, Ikaros and Isis images may be generated automatically. External workstations with access to the Metafer system may then load the images for further analysis.
• If there is no network connection between the Metafer system and the Ikaros or Isis workstations, the coordinates may also be converted to the coordinates of each microscope. Relocation can then be done manually using the microscope rulers.

However the final network will look like: all MetaSystems installations will be tailored to the needs of the user, and all products work seamlessly together.

Scoring of Dicentric Chromosomes

The scoring of dicentric chromosomes is widely used as a method to estimate chromosomal damage after treatment with DNA damaging agents, i.e. ionizing radiation. With the optional software module DCScore dicentric chromosomes within metaphases are automatically detected and counted. DCScore uses the automatic capture module AutoCapt to acquire the metaphases that were detected by the MSearch metaphase finder. The images are automatically analyzed for the presence of dicentric chromosomes. Each dicentric chromosome detected by the software is displayed individually in the image and also marked inside the metaphase. The results of a DCScore analysis is stored, and can be printed into a customizable report. Results of several slides may be combined into one report, providing the final result of a larger study.

Micronucleus Detection

Micronuclei, small nucleated objects in the cytoplasm which indicate extranuclear chromosome fragments, can be automatically detected with the Metafer MSearch micronucleus software module (MicroNuclei). Within a region of interest around a bi-nucleated cell the number of micronuclei is determined automatically. Each bi-nucleated cell is captured and the image is displayed in the gallery. A real-time histogram lists the binucleated cells with the micronuclei counts. The coordinates of each bi-nucleated cell are saved, so that the position can be easily relocated with just one mouse click.