WMicrotracker ONE

The method is based on detecting the scattering of light caused by the movement of organisms when they are subjected to microbeams of infrared light.

The technology is implemented as a grid of infrared light microbeams: 2 microbeams per well of 96 wells, wavelength 880nm, 100 micrometers in diameter, power <1mW / mm2)

When any animal scatter the light from the microbeams, a locomotor activity counter is increased, and the result can be seen as the activity accumulated over time (total or kinetic activity).

This approach has been previously used to study circadian rhythms of fruit flies. Our innovation rely in the sensitivity obtained by the microbeams, allowing the quantification of quasi-microscopic organisms.

The invention of the method is published in the Journal of Neuroscience Methods 161 (2007) 273-280 and is protected by PCT / IB2007 / 054628 – “Small organism locomotor recording procedure and device, behavioral record obtained and use of same” and associated.

ARENA

The method is based on subjecting the organisms to an array of thousands of microbeams of light that are very close to each other. In this way, not only the movement of animals can be detected but also their position in the culture medium.

The innovation rely in applying a phenomenon called optical interferometry, which enables us to acquire shadows of small organisms without the need for microscopes or high resolution captures. It allows real-time processing.

The method is protected by the patent “Procedure and automatic recording device for locomotion of nematodes or small organisms of similar sizes by temporary interferometry of light microbeams.” AR20190100121, PCT/ES2020/070029 and related protection.

WMicrotracker SMART

The system has the ability to work in 2 different modes:
1) Infrared images, plate upside down: This arrangement allows tracking of the path of multiple adult C.elegans (or worms of similar size) using NGM-type solid medium cultures. The method is based on phase-transition optical amplification imaging that will be captured by a sensitive HD camera system. The digital processing of the image will be carried out using software specially designed for real-time data acquisition.

2) Infrared microbeam grid, with face up plate: allows the quantification of the behavior of multiple organisms of size > 0.1 mm using solid, liquid or air cultures. It also allows to define the area of activity in the plate for its use in chemotaxis experiments. This patented method (AR20190100121, PCT/ES2020/070029) is based on detecting movement through the scattering of light caused by a grid of infrared microbeams.

LAB IN THE CLOUD

Our Lab as a Service platform is based on the integration of reader machines with IOT, robotic arms and several software layers. The technology allows to run automated parallel experiments with a simple graphical interface. Protocol recipes are preloaded and there is no need for robotic code programming.

The technology is protected by US patent US20200098449A1 “Remote-controlled Automated System For Drug Testing And Screening” owned by Phylumtech.