celldeath: A tool for detection of cell death in transmitted light microscopy images by deep learning-based visual recognition

PLoS One. 2021 Jun 24;16(6):e0253666. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253666. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Cell death experiments are routinely done in many labs around the world, these experiments are the backbone of many assays for drug development. Cell death detection is usually performed in many ways, and requires time and reagents. However, cell death is preceded by slight morphological changes in cell shape and texture. In this paper, we trained a neural network to classify cells undergoing cell death. We found that the network was able to highly predict cell death after one hour of exposure to camptothecin. Moreover, this prediction largely outperforms human ability. Finally, we provide a simple python tool that can broadly be used to detect cell death.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Death
  • Deep Learning*
  • Humans
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted*
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Microscopy
  • Programming Languages*

Grants and funding

This work was supported by grants to Dr. Miriuka from the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) PIP112-20150100723 and from the Scientific and Technical Research Fund (FONCyT) PICT2016-0544.