IIT-Madras Creates World’s Largest Digital Atlas of Human Fetal Brain

The image dataset, named DHARANI, is now the largest publicly accessible digital repository of the human fetal brain.

The Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) has achieved a global milestone in brain mapping technology by releasing 3D high-resolution images of the human fetal brain.

The achievement, unveiled on Tuesday, is hailed as a first of its kind in the world and marks a significant contribution to neuroscience research from India.

IIT-M Director V Kamakoti highlighted the importance of this advancement, emphasizing its potential to enhance fetal imaging techniques and enable early diagnosis and treatment of brain-related health conditions.

DHARANI: A Comprehensive Digital Dataset

The image dataset, named DHARANI, is now the largest publicly accessible digital repository of the human fetal brain.

Developed by the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre at IIT-Madras, the dataset comprises 5,132 brain sections imaged at cellular resolution using cutting-edge technology.

It provides detailed insights into brain development during the second trimester, with over 500 identified brain regions, creating a complete atlas of the human fetal brain.

Suzana Herculano-Houzel, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Comparative Neurology, stated, “DHARANI is now the largest publicly accessible digital dataset of the human fetal brain, created with less than one-tenth of the initial funds that powered the Allen Brain Atlas. IIT-Madras joins the Allen Brain Institute, placing India alongside the US in the domain of human brain cartography.”

The dataset, already accepted for publication as a special issue in the Journal of Comparative Neurology, is freely available to researchers worldwide, opening new avenues for advancements in neuroscience and fetal medicine.

Indigenous Development of Advanced Technology

A major highlight of the project is its indigenous development. Kamakoti explained that since the equipment required for such high-end research was unavailable, the team collaborated with public and private entities to create custom solutions.

Between 2020 and 2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the research team developed a state-of-the-art technology platform, underscoring India’s capability to lead advanced scientific endeavors.

Established in 2020, the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre has acquired over 200 brains from various medical institutions across India. These include specimens from fetuses, neonates, young adults, and elderly individuals, as well as those affected by conditions like stroke and dementia.

The center processes these specimens into cellular-resolution digital volumes using a high-throughput imaging platform capable of handling petabyte-scale data.

The brain center has developed a world-class histology pipeline that processes whole human brains into high-resolution images, enabling unprecedented advancements in neuroscience research.

The research was conducted by a multidisciplinary team from India, Australia, the US, Romania, and South Africa, in collaboration with Chennai-based Mediscan Systems and Saveetha Medical College Hospital.

The initiative received support from various stakeholders, including the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Kris Gopalakrishnan (co-founder of Infosys), Premji Invest, Fortis Healthcare, Agilus Diagnostics, and NVIDIA.

NVIDIA, a leading AI company, partnered with the center to process petabytes of brain data.

Advancing Foetal Medicine & Neurodevelopmental Research

According to Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam, head of the Brain Centre at IIT-Madras, “This study will pave the way for new scientific discoveries, allowing quantification of neurodevelopmental disorders and advances in fetal medicine.

By advancing current knowledge by 20 times, this dataset positions India as a leader in brain mapping technology.”

The research has significant implications for understanding neurodevelopmental disorders, improving diagnostic tools, and developing treatments.

It is expected to transform the field of fetal medicine, offering hope for addressing complex neurological conditions.

The release of the DHARANI dataset has placed IIT-Madras on the global neuroscience map, with its achievement drawing comparisons to the renowned Allen Brain Atlas.

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