Convex hull as diagnostic tool in single-molecule localization microscopy

Motivation Single-molecule localization microscopy resolves individual fluorophores or fluorescence-labeled biomolecules. Data are provided as a set of localizations that distribute normally around the true fluorophore position with a variance determined by the localization precision. Characterizing the spatial fluorophore distribution to differentiate between resolution-limited localization clusters, which resemble individual biomolecules, and extended structures, which represent aggregated molecular complexes, is a common challenge. Results We demonstrate the use of the convex hull and related hull properties of localization clusters for diagnostic purposes, as a parameter for cluster selection or as a tool to determine localization precision. Availability and implementation: https://github.com/super-resolution/Ebert-et-al-2022-supplement. Contact: soeren.doose@uni-wuerzburg.de Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Automated summary

Characterizing the spatial fluorophore distribution using convex hull and related properties of localization clusters can be used for diagnostic purposes, as a parameter for cluster selection, or as a tool to determine localization precision.