Protocol for supervised automation of cell counting in confocal microscopic mice cochlear imaging datasets using macro in Imaris

STAR Protoc. 2025 Jun 20;6(2):103815. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2025.103815. Epub 2025 May 15.

Abstract

Analyzing confocal microscopic data using Imaris is time-consuming and prone to human error. We present a supervised automation protocol to reduce manual input for cell and spot counting in confocal images of mouse cochlear sections. The protocol includes installing Imaris; preparing confocal images for Imaris; applying the image recognition tool in Macro Scheduler to create surfaces, masks, and spots; and using batch processing to analyze groups of images efficiently. This approach improves accuracy, reproducibility, and customization for research needs.

Keywords: cell biology; immunology; microscopy; neuroscience.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Count / methods
  • Cochlea* / cytology
  • Cochlea* / diagnostic imaging
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted* / methods
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Confocal / methods
  • Software