A marker-free automatic alignment method based on scale-invariant features

In electron tomography, alignment accuracy is critical for high-resolution reconstruction. However, the automatic alignment of a tilt series without fiducial markers remains a challenge. Here, we propose a new alignment method based on Scale-Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) for marker-free alignme...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of structural biology 2014-04, Vol.186 (1), p.167-180
Main Authors: Han, Renmin, Zhang, Fa, Wan, Xiaohua, Fernández, Jose-Jesus, Sun, Fei, Liu, Zhiyong
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algorithms
Alignment
Animals
Bundle adjustment
Caveolae - ultrastructure
Centrioles - ultrastructure
Electron Microscope Tomography - methods
Electron tomography
Fiducial Markers
Hepatocytes - ultrastructure
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
Mice
Mitochondria, Liver - ultrastructure
SIFT
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Summary:In electron tomography, alignment accuracy is critical for high-resolution reconstruction. However, the automatic alignment of a tilt series without fiducial markers remains a challenge. Here, we propose a new alignment method based on Scale-Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) for marker-free alignment. The method covers the detection and localization of interest points (features), feature matching, feature tracking and optimization of projection parameters. The proposed method implements a highly reliable matching strategy and tracking model to detect a huge number of feature tracks. Furthermore, an incremental bundle adjustment method is devised to tolerate noise data and ensure the accurate estimation of projection parameters. Our method was evaluated with a number of experimental data, and the results exhibit an improved alignment accuracy comparable with current fiducial marker alignment and subsequent higher resolution of tomography.
ISSN:1047-8477
1095-8657
DOI:10.1016/j.jsb.2014.02.011