Automated 3D Labelling of Fibroblasts and Endothelial Cells in SEM-Imaged Placenta using Deep Learning

Abstract

Analysis of fibroblasts within placenta is necessary for research into placental growth-factors, which are linked to lifelong health and chronic disease risk. 2D analysis of fibroblasts can be challenging due to the variation and complexity of their structure. 3D imaging can provide important visualisation, but the images produced are extremely labour intensive to construct because of the extensive manual processing required. Machine learning can be used to automate the labelling process for faster 3D analysis. Here, a deep neural network is trained to label a fibroblast from serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SBFSEM) placental imaging.