ProteoNet: A CNN-based framework for analyzing proteomics MS-RGB images.

Proteomics is crucial in clinical research, yet the clinical application of proteomic data remains challenging. Transforming proteomic mass spectrometry (MS) data into red, green, and blue color (MS-RGB) image formats and applying deep learning (DL) techniques has shown great potential to enhance analysis efficiency. However, current DL models often fail to extract subtle, crucial features from MS-RGB data. To address this, we developed ProteoNet, a deep learning framework that refines MS-RGB data analysis. ProteoNet incorporates semantic partitioning, adaptive average pooling, and weighted factors into the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model, thus enhancing data analysis accuracy. Our experiments with proteomics data from urine, blood, and tissue samples related to liver, kidney, and thyroid diseases demonstrate that ProteoNet outperforms existing models in accuracy. ProteoNet also provides a direct conversion method for MS-RGB data, enabling a seamless workflow. Moreover, its compatibility with various CNN architectures, including lightweight models like MobileNetV2, underscores its scalability and clinical potential.