Researchers Validate Scientific and Workflow Benefits of New Imaging Technology for Microscopy

Two recent independent, user-based studies demonstrate that a new imaging technology can lead to significant improvements in image quality and consistency for analysis and publication of histological images. The two papers are important because they provide the first quantitative evidence of both scientific and workflow benefits of a novel colorimetric approach (Datacolor® ChromaCal™) that provides quality and color consistency across microscope imaging systems and displays. Until recently, reports of the benefits for workflow efficiency, image consistency and improved analysis had been mostly anecdotal. Pathology and microscopy research imaging have integrated digitization into the workflow, but standards for quality and color consistency from image to image have not yet been set. Hence, many users are looking to research for guidance on how to incorporate these new technologies into their own practice. Michael A. Linden, M.D., Ph.D. (University of Minnesota) and his collaborators reported their findings in “An Innovative Method for Obtaining Consistent Images and Quantification of Histochemically Stained Specimens” (Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry, April 2015). Linden et al found that imaging systems inherently produce image-to-image variations even if operated by an expert; as a result, post-processing of brightfield images was unavoidable. They studied the performance of both ChromaCal and Adobe® Photoshop® for delivering image consistency as a precursor to morphometric analysis and concluded that while both systems were effective, ChromaCal offered a superior method for post-processing in color brightfield imaging, providing a better basis for quantification. ChromaCal also could be incorporated more readily into workflows. In another independent study, Dawn M. Dawson, M.D., an assistant professor at Case Western Reserve University’s Institute of Pathology, evaluated ChromaCal and reported imaging time savings of more than 90 percent. Dawson found that image post-processing is necessary to improve histological image comparability for both analysis and manuscript preparation, and said that ChromaCal's objective, colorimetric method avoided tedious and subjective adjustments that typically were needed with traditional image-processing methods. Her paper reported that ChromaCal provided significant time savings and delivered "a simple method to achieve consistency and reproducibility in my images." Her complete case study is available at www.scientific.datacolor.com, under Resources > Publications. For more information on ChromaCal or the research studies, contact Mark Clymer at MClymer@datacolor.com. Image caption: Mouse thymus stained with hemotoxylin and eosin (H&E). Image A is the original image as acquired via digital microscope camera. Image B is the same image after calibration using Datacolor ChromaCal. Images courtesy of Ward R. Richter, DVM, MS, DACVP (Druquest International, Inc).