High throughput method and system for analyzing the effects of agents on planaria
AssigneeInveritek, LLC
InventorsEva-Maria S. Collins, Danielle Ireland, Siqi Zhang
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Abstract
A high throughput system and method for analyzing the effects of a plurality of agents on planaria is disclosed. Multiple test zones are provided, where each test zone contains at least a portion of one planarian. The planaria in each test zone are then exposed to at least one agent, the test zones are sealed, and at various times, the test zones are moved automatically between a storage location and at least one assay station. At each assay station, the test zones are exposed to a set of conditions, and an image or video of the planaria in the test zones are captured. Automated image or video analysis is used to are evaluate and determine whether the agent has an effect.
Claims9
A high throughput method for analyzing effects of a plurality of agents on planaria, comprising:
- a. providing a plurality of test zones, each test zone having at least a portion of one planarian;
- b. exposing the planaria in each of the plurality of test zones to at least one agent;
- c. sealing the plurality of test zones to prevent transport in or out of each test zone;
- d. utilizing a crane, plate handler, or conveyor belt for moving the plurality of test zones to one of a plurality of assay stations, and between assay stations;
- e. exposing the plurality of test zones to a set of conditions;
- f. capturing an image or video of the at least a portion of one planarian in each test zone;
- g. evaluating whether the at least one agent has at least one effect on the at least a portion of one planarian in each test zone at the one of a plurality of assay stations;
- and
- h. repeating steps (d) through (g) until each test zone has been evaluated by each of the assay stations;
- wherein the method further comprises amputating at least one planarian into at least two fragments using an automated guillotine, the automated guillotine comprising a descending guillotine oriented perpendicular to a channel through which the at least one planarian is travelling.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.