Using Image J in Your Laboratory Course

 

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2015, Volume 36

Debra Mauzy-Melitz

Abstract

An image is more than just a beautiful picture. For scientists, images contain a wealth of information. Image processing can complement many of the current biology laboratories. Image J is a free, easy to use image processing program, developed by the National Institutes of Health, widely used in research applications. Image J also supports standard imaging processing functions allowing students to crop, manipulate contrast or subtract background. Java plugins and macros have been developed by Image J users to expand the functionality of the program. Multiple tutorials as well as YouTube videos are available to help users with almost every aspect of Image J. At the University of California Irvine, Image J is used in the Developmental and Cell biology labs to give students an appreciation for microscopic quantitative techniques. Students analyze their own images and images obtained from research. Measurements, conversion from pixels to micrometers, area determinations, density profiles, histograms and particle counts are typical Image J applications. The mini-workshop presented during the 2014 ABLE conference is similar to material presented to undergraduate students in a scientific writing course that is a perquisite to all biology laboratories.

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University of Oregon (2014)