Calcium Activity in A Myocardium-On-Chip Model Analysed with Computer Vision Techniques for the Assessment of Tissue Contractile Properties

Models of cardiac tissue accurately simulating the structure and function of myocardium might allow to better understand and treat cardiac disorders such as arrhythmia. One of indicators of contraction, a key feature of cardiac tissue, is calcium (Ca) activity, which can be detected and recorded with fluorescence microscopy imaging. Here we use a range of computer vision techniques to analyse Ca activity in a myocardium-on-chip model, in tissues of GCaMP6-infected myocytes, grown in a microphysiological environment. We analyse and quantify various aspects of Ca activity both local and global properties alongside temporal dynamics, considering aspects such as instantaneous and average occurrence rate of Ca waves, size of areas covered by individual waves, or a degree of regularity of Ca activity. Simple summary statistics computed allow for a comparison of Ca activity for tissues recorded in different experimental conditions.