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Using Points
Two chromatids in this image have been marked. Centromeres appear as large red circles, while fluorescent foci (a custom point type) are marked with smaller magenta circles.
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Some chromosomal landmarks are generally treated as points that occur along the length of their associated chromosomes. The locations of these structures (such as centromeres, secondary constrictions, or fluorescent foci) along chromosomes are commonly of interest, but their dimensions are not usually considered. The "points" features of MicroMeasure are designed for cases such as these.
MicroMeasure gives users a great deal of flexibility when dealing with such features. Users may define up to 12 custom point and/or segment types, which may then be easily marked (the ability to mark centromeres is built in to MM: it is not necessary to define a custom point type to mark centromeres). Position data for every occurrence of each type of point may then be generated.
Defining Points
Since the types of points of interest will vary from one study to another, MM allows users to define custom point types. Point types may be defined prior to marking chromosomes, or may be defined as they are encountered during marking.
To define a new point type, select Points | Define New Type... and enter a brief, descriptive name for this point type (right).
Once a point type has been defined, it will appear on the Points menu (below). This process may be repeated for each point type in a project.
Marking Points
Points are marked in much the same fashion as centromeres (see Marking Chromosomes). Like centromeres, points must be marked as they are encountered. It is not possible in the current version of MM to add marked points after a chromosome has been traced without retracing the entire chromosome.
When a point is encountered, it may be marked by selecting the appropriate item from the Points menu, or by right-clicking and selecting the point type from the context menu (right).
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Note: point types may also be defined as they are encountered. To define a new point type at the current cursor location, right-click and select (Define New Point Type) from the context menu. |
Once marked, points of each defined type will appear as small circles of different colors, as in the image below.
Reusing Points Lists
Since it is likely that a set of defined points and segments will be used with more than one image, MM allows users to their points lists and use them for multiple projects. See File | Save Points File and File | Open Points File... for more information.
