Advances in organoid imaging and automated morphometric analysis: from optical microscopy to computational approaches

Researchers worldwide are increasingly interested in methods for reproducing organogenesis by culturing spheroids and organoids. Unlike spheroids, organoids are more closely related to organs in structure and functional activity. Due to the diversity of organoid production protocols and the lack of precise morphological criteria for standardizing these methods, there is a growing need to identify morphological features as significant distinguishing indicators of mature and functionally healthy organoids. Various semi- and automated programs have been developed to address these issues. This review examines programs for the morphometric analysis of spheroids and organoids. Most of these programs utilize images taken with a brightfield microscope and a confocal laser microscope.