InstantDL - An easy-to-use deep learning pipeline for image segmentation and classification

Abstract

MotivationDeep learning contributes to uncovering and understanding molecular and cellular processes with highly performant image computing algorithms. Convolutional neural networks have become the state-of-the-art tool to provide accurate, consistent and fast data processing. However, published algorithms mostly solve only one specific problem and they often require expert skills and a considerable computer science and machine learning background for application. ResultsWe have thus developed a deep learning pipeline called InstantDL for four common image processing tasks: semantic segmentation, instance segmentation, pixel-wise regression and classification. InstantDL enables experts and non-experts to apply state-of-the-art deep learning algorithms to biomedical image data with minimal effort. To make the pipeline robust, we have automated and standardized workflows and extensively tested it in different scenarios. Moreover, it allows to assess the uncertainty of predictions. We have benchmarked InstantDL on seven publicly available datasets achieving competitive performance without any parameter tuning. For customization of the pipeline to specific tasks, all code is easily accessible. Availability and ImplementationInstantDL is available under the terms of MIT licence. It can be found on GitHub: https://github.com/marrlab/InstantDL Contactcarsten.marr@helmholtz-muenchen.de