Label-free analysis of micro-algae populations using a high-throughput holographic imaging flow cytometer and deep learning

We present a field-portable and high-throughput imaging flow-cytometer, which performs phenotypic analysis of microalgae using image processing and deep learning. This computational cytometer weighs ~1.6kg, and captures holographic images of water samples containing microalgae, flowing in a microfluidic channel at a rate of 100mL/h. Automated analysis is performed by extracting the spatial and spectral features of the reconstructed images to automatically identify/count the target algae within the sample, using image processing and convolutional neural networks. Changes within the measured features and the composition of the microalgae can be rapidly analyzed to reveal even minute deviations from the normal state of the population.