FPGA-based bio-cybernetic automation system for lab-on-a-chip zebrafish embryo arrays
by Kevin I-Kai Wang; Johnny Yeh; Zoran Salcic; Jin Akagi; Donald Wlodkowic
International Journal of Intelligent Systems Technologies and Applications (IJISTA), Vol. 13, No. 1/2, 2014

Abstract: Zebrafish embryo is a popular model organism for in-situ toxicology analysis. It offers advantages over traditional bioassays by allowing visualisation of developing tissues and organs in response to chemical treatment. Over recent years, lab-on-a-chip (LoC) technology was introduced to handle zebrafish embryos in large quantities and to improve the throughput of in-situ experiments. Chip-based microfluidic devices offer flexible platforms for trapping and observing embryos, as well as allowing small quantity chemical treatment. However, experiment procedures remain laborious and require constant operator attention without a fully automated system. In this paper, a novel field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based bio-cybernetic system, that works with LoC devices for handling zebrafish embryos, controlling chemical perfusion, and acquiring image data periodically, is described. The developed system is capable of handling up to 100 embryos in a single experiment. The functionalities have been tested by performing multiple time lapse experiments of up to 72 hours.

Online publication date: Sun, 13-Jul-2014

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Intelligent Systems Technologies and Applications (IJISTA):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com