Density estimation of SARS-CoV2 spike proteins using super pixels segmentation technique

• Published in: Applied soft computing 2023-05, Vol.138, p.110210-110210, Article 110210
• Main Authors: Taha, Bakr Ahmed, Al-Jubouri, Qussay, Al Mashhadany, Yousif, Hafiz Mokhtar, Mohd Hadri, Bin Zan, Mohd Saiful Dzulkefly, Bakar, Ahmad Ashrif A., Arsad, Norhana
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coronaviruses; SARS-CoV 2; Segmentation; Spike proteins; Superpixel technique
• ISSN: 1568-4946; 1872-9681
• DOI: 10.1016/j.asoc.2023.110210

The worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 disease was caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV 2). The existence of spike proteins, which allow these viruses to infect host cells, is one of the distinctive biological traits of various prior viruses. As a result, the process by which these viruses infect people is largely dependent on spike proteins. The density of SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins must be estimated to better understand and develop diagnostics and vaccines against the COVID-19 pandemic. CT scans and X-rays have three issues: frosted glass, consolidation, and strange roadway layouts. Each of these issues can be graded separately or together. Although CT scan is sensitive to COVID-19, it is not very specific. Therefore, patients who obtain these results should have more comprehensive clinical and laboratory tests to rule out other probable reasons. This work collected 586 SARS-CoV 2 transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images from open source for density estimation of virus spike proteins through a segmentation approach based on the superpixel technique. As a result, the spike density means of SARS-CoV2 and SARS-CoV were 21,97 nm and 22,45 nm, respectively. Furthermore, in the future, we aim to include this model in an intelligent system to enhance the accuracy of viral detection and classification. Moreover, we can remotely connect hospitals and public sites to conduct environmental hazard assessments and data collection. •Extracting features such as the distribution/density of SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins and comparing them to SARS-CoV is important to understanding viral makeup and developing vaccine and detection techniques.•Estimate the density of SARS-CoV 2 spike proteins Using the super-pixel segmentation method.•We aim to combine this model with an intelligent system in future work to improve the accuracy of viral identification and detection on surfaces.