The ANTsX ecosystem for mapping the mouse brain

Abstract

Abstract Large-scale efforts by the BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network (BICCN) are generating a comprehensive reference atlas of cell types in the mouse brain. A key challenge in this effort is mapping diverse datasets, acquired with varied imaging, tissue processing, and profiling methods, into shared coordinate frameworks. Here, we present mouse brain mapping pipelines developed using the Advanced Normalization Tools Ecosystem (ANTsX) to align MERFISH spatial transcriptomics and high-resolution fMOST morphology data to the Allen Common Coordinate Framework (CCFv3), and developmental MRI and LSFM data to the Developmental CCF (DevCCF). Simultaneously, we introduce two novel methods: 1) a velocity field–based approach for continuous interpolation across developmental timepoints, and 2) a deep learning framework for automated brain parcellation using minimally annotated and publicly available data. All workflows are open-source and reproducible. We also provide general guidance for selecting appropriate strategies across modalities, enabling researchers to adapt these tools to new data.