Lusca: FIJI (ImageJ) based tool for automated morphological analysis of cellular and subcellular structures

Abstract

The human body consists of diverse subcellular, cellular and supracellular structures. Neurons possess varying-sized projections that interact with different cellular structures leading to the development of highly complex morphologies. Aiming to enhance image analysis of complex biological forms including neurons using available FIJI (ImageJ) plugins, Lusca, an advanced open-source tool, was developed. Lusca utilizes machine learning for image segmentation with intensity and size thresholds. It performs particle analysis to ascertain parameters such as area/volume, quantity, and intensity, in addition to skeletonization for determining length, branching, and width. Moreover, in conjunction with colocalization measurements, it provides an extensive set of 29 morphometric parameters for both 2D and 3D analysis. This is a significant enhancement compared to other scripts that offer only 5–15 parameters. Consequently, it ensures quicker and more precise quantification by effectively eliminating noise and discerning subtle details. With three times larger execution speed, fewer false positive and negative results, and the capacity to measure various parameters, Lusca surpasses other existing open-source solutions. Its implementation of machine learning-based segmentation facilitates versatile applications for different cell types and biological structures, including mitochondria, fibres, and vessels. Lusca’s automated and precise measurement capability makes it an ideal choice for diverse biological image analyses.