ilastik: interactive machine learning for (bio)image analysis

Nat Methods. 2019 Dec;16(12):1226-1232. doi: 10.1038/s41592-019-0582-9. Epub 2019 Sep 30.

Abstract

We present ilastik, an easy-to-use interactive tool that brings machine-learning-based (bio)image analysis to end users without substantial computational expertise. It contains pre-defined workflows for image segmentation, object classification, counting and tracking. Users adapt the workflows to the problem at hand by interactively providing sparse training annotations for a nonlinear classifier. ilastik can process data in up to five dimensions (3D, time and number of channels). Its computational back end runs operations on-demand wherever possible, allowing for interactive prediction on data larger than RAM. Once the classifiers are trained, ilastik workflows can be applied to new data from the command line without further user interaction. We describe all ilastik workflows in detail, including three case studies and a discussion on the expected performance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator / physiology
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Collagen / metabolism
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Machine Learning*

Substances

  • ARNT protein, human
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator
  • Collagen