Robotic microscopy apparatus for high throughput observation of multicellular organisms

Abstract

The present invention relates to a robotic microscopy apparatus that is able to screen, detect, count and image in an automated and high throughput fashion whole multicellular organisms, tissues, individual cells and groups of cells on or embedded within agar, collagen or other defined matrix. To achieve this, the robotic apparatus of the invention images the samples from the top using a microscope with a long working distance. The invention provides robotic systems for plate handling, biological sample immobilization and microscopic examination. The invention also provides for automatic image acquisition, image storage and display, and image analysis.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.