Behavioural analysis of micro organisms through video microscopy

Christopher James (WMG)

C. elegans is a sub-millimetre organism (worm) that is used by
neurobiologists to test certain conditions and hypotheses in the lab.
This is usually done through observing the worms' behaviour under a
powerful microscope and relating the behaviour of individual worms and
populations of worms to the particular hypothesis under test. Worm shape
and general behaviour are used as markers for different conditions. A
system is required to assess worm behaviour as obtained from videos of
worms under observation using image processing techniques to extract
features relating to worm shape and overall worm behaviour. A
prototypical worm shape analysis system is available but needs further
work to improve the behaviour extraction algorithm. Popular image
processing and information extracting algorithms will need to be
implemented to improve the system performance.

A strong basis in engineering maths is recommended and an ability to
programme in Matlab is desirable.