System and method for fully automated robotic-assisted image analysis for in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity testing

A method for performing genotoxicity testing of biological materials by utilizing a genotoxicity analysis system including hardware components that are operated with software controls, the genotoxicity analysis system being capable of performing a multiplicity of genotoxicity tests, the method comprising the steps of:

• preparing a first batch of samples of biological materials for processing using a first genotoxicity test;
• utilizing the genotoxicity analysis system to perform a first genotoxicity test on the samples of the first batch of biological materials;
• preparing a second batch of samples of biological materials for processing using a second genotoxicity test;
• utilizing the genotoxicity analysis system to perform a second genotoxicity test on the samples of the second batch of biological materials,
• wherein the software controls manipulate the configuration of the hardware components during the time period between performance of the first and second genotoxicity tests to thereby allow the first and second genotoxicity tests to be performed using the same hardware components.

A method for performing various types of genotoxicity tests on respective batches of biological samples using a genotoxicity analysis system, the method including the steps of:

• a. receiving a command from a user of the genotoxicity analysis system, the command specifying the type of genotoxicity test to be performed;
• b. performing an automatic configuration of the component of the genotoxicity analysis system to thereby allow the genotoxicity analysis system to perform the genotoxicity test specified in step a;
• c. performing the specified genotoxicity test on a batch of biological samples;
• d. recording results of the genotoxicity test;
• e. repeating steps a through d.

A method for performing genotoxicity screening comprising the steps of:

• a. preparing a batch of slides for genotoxicity screening;
• b. selecting a genotoxicity test;
• c. automatically retrieving the first of a plurality of slides containing biological samples from a slide retaining device;
• d. automatically delivering the slide to an electronically driven microscope;
• e. automatically focusing on the material contained on the slide;
• f. automatically recording a visual representation of the focused image;
• g. automatically delivering the focused image to a microprocessor-based computer;
• h. automatically performing image analysis on the recorded image using image analysis software appropriate for the genotoxicity test selected in step b.
• i. automatically recording the data resulting from the analysis of the image;
• j. automatically returning the slide retrieved in step c to the slide retaining device;
• k. automatically retrieving the next slide for analysis;
• l. automatically repeating steps c through k for successive slides in the batch until all of the slides in the batch have been analyzed;
• and
• m. repeating steps a through l until all desired slides have been processed.