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MIA

Release DOI

MIA (Metadata Inspection Analyzer) is a streamlined, user-friendly ImageJ/Fiji plugin designed for instant extraction and visualization of microscopy metadata.

Developed by Dr. Kui Wang at the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology (CEBSIT), Chinese Academy of Sciences, it fills the gap between basic file information and complex OME-XML parsing, offering a “drag-and-drop” solution for biologists.

Author: Kui Wang, CEBSIT, CAS. For questions please use the GitHub Issues or tag @Epivitae on image.sc.

Key Features

  • Instant Inspection: Simply drag & drop any microscopy file to immediately view dimensions (XYZT), pixel size, and time intervals without opening the full image.
  • Deep Extraction:
    • Olympus (.oir): Advanced parsing of proprietary tags often hidden by standard readers (e.g., Exact Laser Lines, Emission Ranges, Real-Time Intervals).
    • General (.czi, .lif, .nd2): Full standard OME-XML support via Bio-Formats integration.
  • Spectrum Mapping: Auto-generates color-coded tags for Excitation/Emission wavelengths (e.g., ● Ex488), making channel identification effortless.
  • One-Click Reporting: Exports a comprehensive CSV report (Excel compatible) containing both the summary and the full raw metadata tree for data auditing.

Installation & Update

MIA is distributed via the Biosensor Tools Fiji Update Site.

  1. Open Fiji / ImageJ.
  2. Navigate to Help › Update…
  3. Click Manage update sites.
  4. Check Biosensor Tools from the list.
  5. Click Apply and Close, then restart Fiji.

If the site is missing from the list, you can add it manually:
Name: Biosensor Tools
URL: https://sites.imagej.net/Biosensor-Tools/

Usage Workflow

  1. Launch: Start the plugin via Plugins › Biosensor Tools › MIA.
  2. Inspect: Drag and drop a microscopy file (.oir, .czi, .nd2, etc.) directly into the panel.
  3. Review: Check the Key Parameters summary for quick acquisition details.
  4. Export: Click “Export Report” to save all metadata to a local CSV file for lab notebooks or publications.

Citation & DOI

If you use this software in your research, please cite the software and the repository:

Wang, K. (2026). MIA: Metadata Inspection Analyzer — A Lightweight Tool for Extracting Microscopy Source Parameters (v1.1.0). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18280807

Developed by Kui Wang © 2026. Part of the Biosensor Tools suite developed for genetically encoded indicators and neurochemical analysis.