Image processing-based identification of dicentric chromosomes in slide images

The aim of the proposed research is to investigate methods to identify objects of interest and classify dicentric and normal chromosomes in slide images using suitable digital image processing techniques. Dicentric chromosomes are abnormal chromosomes with two centromeres (instead of one) created by a variety of processes, including irradiation. When a chromosome is exposed to radiation, two chromosome segments, each with a centromere may join together resulting in a dicentric chromosome. An acentric fragment, i.e. a partial chromosome with no centromere, is also formed. The first stage of the proposed system is geared towards the detection of objects of interest, i.e. isolated normal, isolated dicentric, acentric and clusters of overlapping chromosomes. The last stage of the proposed system is geared towards the classification of isolated chromosomes as either normal or dicentric. The eventual objective is to determine the number of dicentric chromosomes present in a slide image. The proposed system automatically detects objects of interest not associated with dirt. The classification of the aforementioned objects into isolated and clustered chromosomes, as well as acentric fragments, are conducted manually, while the automation of this stage is reserved for future work. The proposed system subsequently automatically categorises isolated chromosomes as either normal or dicentric. It is demonstrated that the system correctly detects and classifies a significant number of the aforementioned chromosomes within slide images provided by iThemba LABS.