Abstract: A spatial distribution of cells or sub-cellular structures of a subject is quantified by receiving image data that includes a plurality of biomarkers and processing the image data to obtain a set of coordinates. Each coordinate denotes the location of a cell or sub-cellular structure represented by a biomarker or combination of biomarkers. The set of coordinates is processed into a two-dimensional symmetric matrix. Each element of the matrix indicates the frequency of a cell or sub-cellular structure represented by a first biomarker or combination of biomarkers being observed within an interaction distance of a cell or sub-cellular structure represented by a second biomarker or combination of biomarkers. A classifier assigns the subject to a group or category based on the matrix. A toxicity and/or efficacy of one or more interventions is assessed based on a comparison of the spatial distribution to one or more predetermined reference or control distributions.

Abstract: In a technique for quantifying the spatial distribution of cells or sub-cellular structures, image data representing a spatial map of biomarkers is processed to obtain a set of coordinates. Each of the coordinates in the set denotes the location of a cell or sub-cellular structure represented by a biomarker or combination of biomarkers. The set of coordinates is processed into a two-dimensional symmetric (2N?1)×(2N?1) or 2N×2N matrix. The resulting matrix may be used for various purposes, such as assigning subjects clinical characteristics, and/or forming and/or testing scientific hypotheses for interventions, for example. Also described herein is an apparatus for performing the described technique.

Abstract: Provided herein is a computer-implemented method for quantifying the spatial distribution of cells or sub-cellular structures, the method comprising the following steps performed by a computer: (a) receiving for a subject image data comprising a plurality of biomarkers, N, wherein the data represents a spatial map of the biomarkers; (b) processing the data to obtain a set of coordinates, wherein each coordinate denotes the location of a cell or sub-cellular structure represented by a biomarker or combination of biomarkers; (c) processing the set of coordinates into a two-dimensional symmetric (2N?1)×(2N?1) or 2N×2N matrix (D), wherein each element (i, j) of the matrix indicates the frequency of a cell or sub-cellular structure represented by a first biomarker or combination of biomarkers (i) being observed within an interaction distance, di, of a cell or sub-cellular structure represented by a second biomarker or combination of biomarkers (j), and wherein i and j may be the same or different; and (d) using a

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for quantifying the spatial distribution of cells or sub-cellular structures comprising (a) receiving image data comprising a plurality of biomarkers, N, wherein the data represents a spatial map of the biomarkers; (b) processing the data to obtain a set of coordinates, wherein each coordinate denotes the location of a cell or sub-cellular structure represented by a biomarker or combination of biomarkers; and (c) processing the set of coordinates into a two-dimensional symmetric (2N?1)×(2N?1) or 2N×2N matrix (D). Also provided is the use of this method for assigning subjects one or more clinical characteristics, the use of this method for forming and/or testing scientific hypotheses for one or more interventions, and apparatus comprising at least one processor configured to perform the method.