Advanced Brain Science Without Coding Expertise

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich and the LMU University Hospital Munich introduce DELiVR, offering a new AI-based approach to the complex task of brain cell mapping. The deep learning tool democratizes advanced neuroscience by eliminating the need for coding expertise. DELiVR empowers biologists to investigate disease-related spatial cell dynamics efficiently, fostering the development of precision therapies for enhanced patient care.

Democratizing 3D Brain Analysis

Many diseases are linked with changes in the expression of certain proteins in the brain. To study those changes, scientists examine how they change during disease progression in model organisms. Imaging entire mouse brains generates vast data sets, necessitating accurate quantification methods for its meaningful interpretation. However, identifying labeled cells within large 3D image data is challenging. While artificial intelligence (AI) holds promise for data analysis, it typically requires extensive data annotation and advanced coding skills, restricting its use to specialized labs. The research team therefore aimed to overcome these barriers, democratizing 3D analysis for broader scientific access.

Virtual Reality Empowering Researchers

To accurately quantify specific cells within brain images, the research team initially trained an AI algorithm to identify them in 3D microscopic images. Leveraging virtual reality (VR) for label generation, the researchers immersed themselves in the images, annotating cells directly in 3D – a faster and more precise method than traditional 2D slice-based approaches. Subsequently, the team employed these VR-generated labels to train an AI algorithm for the automatic identification of active neurons. They integrated the processes of detecting cells, matching them to a brain atlas, and visualizing the results into their DELiVR (Deep Learning and Virtual Reality mesoscale annotation) pipeline. The system operates seamlessly with Fiji, an open-source software for image analysis, in an end-to-end workflow. DELiVR also features a customizable function allowing researchers to train it for specific cell types, such as microglia, an essential immune cell in the brain, demonstrating its adaptability for diverse research projects.

“In essence, DELiVR offers a seamless solution for identifying and analyzing cells throughout the entire brain, providing invaluable insights into their roles and behaviors in both health and disease – all without requiring coding expertise from scientists. DELiVR represents a step towards developing new therapeutic interventions that could ultimately improve the quality of life for individuals affected by debilitating conditions,” says Prof. Ali Ertürk, who led the development of the tool at Helmholtz Munich.

Use Case: Cancer-Related Weight Loss

To demonstrate the power of DELiVR, the research team exemplified its capacity to transform our comprehension of how cancer influences our brain activity. Concentrating on the significant clinical challenge of tumor-induced weight loss, they discovered specific brain activity patterns distinguishing cancers that induce weight loss in mice from those that do not. Dr. Doris Kaltenecker, a first author of the study introducing DELiVR, says: “Our findings using DELiVR have revealed potential therapeutic targets within brain regions. This might pave the way for promising strategies to combat cancer-related weight loss in the future.”

About the researchers

Prof. Ali Ertürk, Director of the Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine at Helmholtz Munich, Professor at the Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research at LMU University Hospital Munich
Dr. Doris Kaltenecker, Postdoc at the Institute for Diabetes and Cancer at Helmholtz Munich, the Translational Diabetes Program at Heidelberg University Hospital, the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), and the Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research at LMU University Hospital Munich

About Helmholtz Munich
Helmholtz Munich is a leading biomedical research center. Its mission is to develop breakthrough solutions for better health in a rapidly changing world. Interdisciplinary research teams focus on environmentally triggered diseases, especially the therapy and prevention of diabetes, obesity, allergies, and chronic lung diseases. With the power of artificial intelligence and bioengineering, researchers accelerate the translation to patients. Helmholtz Munich has more than 2,500 employees and is headquartered in Munich/Neuherberg. It is a member of the Helmholtz Association, with more than 43,000 employees and 18 research centers the largest scientific organization in Germany. More about Helmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt GmbH): www.helmholtz-munich.de/en

Wissenschaftliche Ansprechpartner:

Prof. Ali Ertürk
Email: ali.erturk@helmholtz-munich.de

Originalpublikation:

Kaltenecker, Al-Maskari, Negwer et al., 2024: Virtual reality-empowered deep-learning analysis of brain cells. Nature Methods, DOI: 10.1038/s41592-024-02245-2
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41592-024-02245-2