VASCilia (Vision Analysis StereoCilia): A Napari Plugin for Deep Learning-Based 3D Analysis of Cochlear Hair Cell Stereocilia Bundles.

ABSTRACT: Cochlear hair cells are essential for hearing, and their stereocilia bundles are critical for mechanotransduction. However, analyzing the 3D morphology of these bundles can be challenging due to their complex organization and the presence of other cellular structures in the tissue. To address this, we developed VASCilia (Vision Analysis StereoCilia), a Napari plugin suite that automates the analysis of 3D confocal microscopy datasets of phalloidin-stained cochlear hair cell bundles. VASCilia includes five deep learning-based models that streamline the analysis process, including: (1) Z-Focus Tracker (ZFT) for selecting relevant slices in a 3D image stack; (2) PCPAlignNet (Planar Cell Polarity Alignment Network) for automated orientation of image stacks; (3) a segmentation model for identif

SUBMITTER: Kassim YM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11212889 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature