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Master's Thesis
Author of thesis: Bc. Tereza Kalivodová
Acad. year: 2025/2026
Supervisor: Ing. Martin Mézl, Ph.D.
Reviewer: Ing. Jan Kubíček, Ph.D.
MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry is widely used for rapid identification of microorganisms in clinical diagnostics. However, the quality of the resulting spectrum strongly depends on proper sample preparation, crystallization quality, and accurate deposition on the MALDI target plate. This master's thesis focuses on the automation of visual quality control of MALDI target plates within the MBT PrepMatic™ robotic workflow developed by Bruker Daltonics GmbH & Co. KG. The work includes detection and extraction of individual spots from top-camera target plate images, segmentation of crystallization regions, and quantitative evaluation of their geometric properties. Based on the segmented regions, several metrics describing spot quality are defined, including coverage of the target area, centroid displacement, spreading outside the spot, and potential cross-contamination. In addition, front camera images acquired during the preparation workflow are analyzed as a supplementary control step to verify whether formic acid or matrix was actually deposited on the selected spot. The main outcome of this thesis is an integrated framework for automated image-based analysis of MALDI spots, combining evaluation of the final target appearance with information from the preparation workflow. The proposed metrics provide a basis for future validation against the quality of acquired mass spectra.
MALDI target plate, MALDI-TOF MS, mass spectrometry, Hough circle transform, image processing, colony picking, machine learning, deep learning, image segmentation, image classification
Date of defence
15.06.2026
Result of the defence
Defended (thesis was successfully defended)
Grading
A
Process of defence
Studentka prezentovala výsledky své práce a komise byla seznámena s posudky. Prof. Provazník položila otázku: Jaké je rozlišení obrazu? Ing. Jakubíčková, Ph.D. položila otázku: Jak se čistí MALDI destičky? Lze analýzu rozšířit o hodnocení kvality čistoty destičky? Ing. Jakubíček, Ph.D. položil otázku: Bylo by možné provést pipeline pouze jednofázově? Kumulovala by se chyba dvoufázovým přístupem? Jakým způsobem bysta stanovila vhodný práh? Jakou metodou jste fitovala lineární křivku v regresi? Ing. Němcová, Ph.D. položila otázku: Jak probíhaly manuální anotace? Studentka obhájila diplomovou práci a odpověděla na otázky členů komise a oponenta.
Language of thesis
English
Faculty
Fakulta elektrotechniky a komunikačních technologií
Department
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Study programme
Biomedical Engineering and Bioinformatics (MPC-BTB)
Composition of Committee
doc. RNDr. David Šafránek, Ph.D. (předseda) prof. Ing. Valentýna Provazník, Ph.D. (místopředseda) Ing. Markéta Jakubíčková, Ph.D. (člen) Ing. Roman Jakubíček, Ph.D. (člen) Ing. Andrea Němcová, Ph.D. (člen)
Supervisor’s reportIng. Martin Mézl, Ph.D.
Grade proposed by supervisor: A
Reviewer’s reportIng. Jan Kubíček, Ph.D.
Grade proposed by reviewer: A
Responsibility: Mgr. et Mgr. Hana Odstrčilová