Topology of the Human Tongue
“Here, we [University of Edinburgh] present the first machine learning framework on 3D microscopic scans of human papillae uncovering the uniqueness of geometric and topological features of papillae. The finer differences in shapes of papillae are investigated computationally based on a number of features derived from discrete differential geometry and computational topology. . . . The papillae type classification models can map the spatial arrangement of filiform and fungiform papillae on a surface. Remarkably, the papillae are found to be distinctive across individuals and an individual can be identified with an accuracy of 48% among the 15 participants from a single papillae. Collectively, this is the first evidence demonstrating that tongue papillae can serve as a unique identifier, and inspires a new research direction for food preferences and oral diagnostics.” MORE
Image Credit: Nature