In the lab, I use quantum dots to label GABA_A receptors in the dendritic membrane. Click on the dendrite (grey rectangle) to add a quantum dot to it.

This is a simplified simulation of the data I have to process (underlying diffusivity map and directed surface motion coming soon). The job of the tracking algorithm is to take the dot locations in each frame and assign the track colours – or identities – that are displayed here. The search space scales as n! – each time you click, the job gets tougher (as does the visual tracking of multiple dots).

Another level of difficulty is added by quantum dot blinking – tracks must be connected across "dark" periods.

So, a large chunk of my time is spent trying to write programs that can attack n! and track larger numbers simultaneously. Another aim in mind is to remove completely any manual intervention required to improve the job.

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