Section: Software

TubuleJ: Straightening of microtubule cryo-EM projection views

Participant : Charles Kervrann.

The TubuleJ software (APP deposit number: IDDN.FR.001.240023.000.S.P.2011.000.21000) written in java (plug-in ImageJ (http://rsbweb.nih.gov/ij/ ) is devoted to the analysis of microtubules and helical structures in 2D cryo-electron microscope images. The software straightens curved microtubule images by estimating automatically points locations on the microtubule axis. The estimation of microtubule principal axis relies on microtubule cylindrical shape analyzed in the Fourier domain. A user-friendly interface enables to filter straight fiber images by selecting manually the layer lines of interest in the Fourier domain. This software can be used to generate a set of 2D projection views from a single microtubule projection view and a few parameters of this microtubule structure. These projection views are then back projected, by using the imod plug-in (http://rsbweb.nih.gov/ij/ ), to reconstruct 3D microtubules.

Partners: S. Blestel and D. Chrétien (UMR 6026 CNRS University of Rennes 1)