Automated reconstruction of whole-embryo cell lineages by learning from sparse annotations

Nat Biotechnol. 2023 Jan;41(1):44-49. doi: 10.1038/s41587-022-01427-7. Epub 2022 Sep 5.

Abstract

We present a method to automatically identify and track nuclei in time-lapse microscopy recordings of entire developing embryos. The method combines deep learning and global optimization. On a mouse dataset, it reconstructs 75.8% of cell lineages spanning 1 h, as compared to 31.8% for the competing method. Our approach improves understanding of where and when cell fate decisions are made in developing embryos, tissues, and organs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blastocyst*
  • Cell Lineage
  • Embryo, Mammalian*
  • Mice
  • Microscopy