U-FISH: a fluorescent spot detector for imaging-based spatial-omics analysis and AI-assisted FISH diagnosis

Genome Biol. 2025 Sep 1;26(1):261. doi: 10.1186/s13059-025-03736-x.

Abstract

Imaging-based spatial-omics advances biomedical discoveries with subcellular resolution and high sensitivity, but accurately identifying signal spots from diverse images remains challenging. We develop U-FISH, a deep learning method that enhances images for consistent spot detection across various spatial-omics data. We establish a comprehensive FISH image dataset from seven spatial-omics methods. Benchmark analysis shows U-FISH has superior accuracy and generalizability compared to existing methods and can effectively decode 3D FISH data. U-FISH is the first spot detection software integrated with large language models, as demonstrated in AI-assisted diagnostics. Our study provides a valuable tool for spatial-omics analysis and diagnostics.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Datasets as Topic
  • Deep Learning*
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Genomic Structural Variation
  • Genomics
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence* / methods
  • Optical Imaging* / methods
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Software*