  Live time-lapse microscopy is essential for a wide range of biological
applications. Software-based automation is the gold standard for the operation
of hardware accessories necessary for image acquisition. Given that current
software packages are neither affordable nor open to complex structured
programming, we have developed a Matlab-based graphical user interface (GUI)
that is fundamentally accessible while providing limitless avenues for further
customization. The GUI simultaneously communicates with the open-source,
cross-functional platform micro-Manager for controlling hardware for time-lapse
image acquisition and with other software for image processing. The use of the
GUI is demonstrated through an 18-hour cell migration experiment. The results
suggest that the GUI can generate high-quality, high-throughput time-lapse
images. The core code behind the GUI is open-source so that it can be modified
and upgraded. Therefore, it benefits the researchers worldwide by providing
them a fundamental yet functional template to add in advanced features specific
to their needs, such as additional non-microscopy hardware parts and software
packages supported by the Matlab software.
