Advancing Hydrogel-Based 3D Cell Culture Systems: Histological Image Analysis and AI-Driven Filament Characterization

<b>Background:</b> Machine learning is used to analyze images by training algorithms on data to recognize patterns and identify objects, with applications in various fields, such as medicine, security, and automation. Meanwhile, histological cross-sections, whether longitudinal or transv...

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Main Authors: Lucio Assis Araujo Neto, Alessandra Maia Freire, Luciano Paulino Silva
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Biomedicines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/1/208
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author Lucio Assis Araujo Neto
Alessandra Maia Freire
Luciano Paulino Silva
author_facet Lucio Assis Araujo Neto
Alessandra Maia Freire
Luciano Paulino Silva
author_sort Lucio Assis Araujo Neto
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background:</b> Machine learning is used to analyze images by training algorithms on data to recognize patterns and identify objects, with applications in various fields, such as medicine, security, and automation. Meanwhile, histological cross-sections, whether longitudinal or transverse, expose layers of tissues or tissue mimetics, which provide crucial information for microscopic analysis. <b>Objectives</b>: This study aimed to employ the Google platform “Teachable Machine” to apply artificial intelligence (AI) in the interpretation of histological cross-section images of hydrogel filaments. <b>Methods</b>: The production of 3D hydrogel filaments involved different combinations of sodium alginate and gelatin polymers, as well as a cross-linking agent, and subsequent stretching until rupture using an extensometer. Cross-sections of stretched and unstretched filaments were created and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Using the Teachable Machine platform, images were grouped and trained for subsequent prediction. <b>Results</b>: Over six hundred histological cross-section images were obtained and stored in a virtual database. Each hydrogel combination exhibited variations in coloration, and some morphological structures remained consistent. The AI efficiently identified and differentiated images of stretched and unstretched filaments. However, some confusion arose when distinguishing among variations in hydrogel combinations. <b>Conclusions</b>: Therefore, the image prediction tool for biopolymeric hydrogel histological cross-sections using Teachable Machine proved to be an efficient strategy for distinguishing stretched from unstretched filaments.
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spelling doaj-art-aa97ef24639f4eb8b0bb3be4988f70932025-01-24T13:24:24ZengMDPI AGBiomedicines2227-90592025-01-0113120810.3390/biomedicines13010208Advancing Hydrogel-Based 3D Cell Culture Systems: Histological Image Analysis and AI-Driven Filament CharacterizationLucio Assis Araujo Neto0Alessandra Maia Freire1Luciano Paulino Silva2Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology (LNANO), Brasília 70770-917, DF, BrazilEmbrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology (LNANO), Brasília 70770-917, DF, BrazilEmbrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology (LNANO), Brasília 70770-917, DF, Brazil<b>Background:</b> Machine learning is used to analyze images by training algorithms on data to recognize patterns and identify objects, with applications in various fields, such as medicine, security, and automation. Meanwhile, histological cross-sections, whether longitudinal or transverse, expose layers of tissues or tissue mimetics, which provide crucial information for microscopic analysis. <b>Objectives</b>: This study aimed to employ the Google platform “Teachable Machine” to apply artificial intelligence (AI) in the interpretation of histological cross-section images of hydrogel filaments. <b>Methods</b>: The production of 3D hydrogel filaments involved different combinations of sodium alginate and gelatin polymers, as well as a cross-linking agent, and subsequent stretching until rupture using an extensometer. Cross-sections of stretched and unstretched filaments were created and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Using the Teachable Machine platform, images were grouped and trained for subsequent prediction. <b>Results</b>: Over six hundred histological cross-section images were obtained and stored in a virtual database. Each hydrogel combination exhibited variations in coloration, and some morphological structures remained consistent. The AI efficiently identified and differentiated images of stretched and unstretched filaments. However, some confusion arose when distinguishing among variations in hydrogel combinations. <b>Conclusions</b>: Therefore, the image prediction tool for biopolymeric hydrogel histological cross-sections using Teachable Machine proved to be an efficient strategy for distinguishing stretched from unstretched filaments.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/1/208Teachable Machinemachine learningartificial intelligenceconfusion matrixhydrogel
spellingShingle Lucio Assis Araujo Neto
Alessandra Maia Freire
Luciano Paulino Silva
Advancing Hydrogel-Based 3D Cell Culture Systems: Histological Image Analysis and AI-Driven Filament Characterization
Biomedicines
Teachable Machine
machine learning
artificial intelligence
confusion matrix
hydrogel
title Advancing Hydrogel-Based 3D Cell Culture Systems: Histological Image Analysis and AI-Driven Filament Characterization
title_full Advancing Hydrogel-Based 3D Cell Culture Systems: Histological Image Analysis and AI-Driven Filament Characterization
title_fullStr Advancing Hydrogel-Based 3D Cell Culture Systems: Histological Image Analysis and AI-Driven Filament Characterization
title_full_unstemmed Advancing Hydrogel-Based 3D Cell Culture Systems: Histological Image Analysis and AI-Driven Filament Characterization
title_short Advancing Hydrogel-Based 3D Cell Culture Systems: Histological Image Analysis and AI-Driven Filament Characterization
title_sort advancing hydrogel based 3d cell culture systems histological image analysis and ai driven filament characterization
topic Teachable Machine
machine learning
artificial intelligence
confusion matrix
hydrogel
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/1/208
work_keys_str_mv AT lucioassisaraujoneto advancinghydrogelbased3dcellculturesystemshistologicalimageanalysisandaidrivenfilamentcharacterization
AT alessandramaiafreire advancinghydrogelbased3dcellculturesystemshistologicalimageanalysisandaidrivenfilamentcharacterization
AT lucianopaulinosilva advancinghydrogelbased3dcellculturesystemshistologicalimageanalysisandaidrivenfilamentcharacterization