AUTOMATED HIGH-RESOLUTION PUPAE COUNTING DEVICE

Abstract

Pupae counting device that allows the automatic quantification of the youth-adult transition in groups of flies, like Drosophila. It comprises a circular platform, one or more tube holders positioned on the platform, one or more sample tubes, inserted into each tube holder, and intended to contain the pupae, a camera for recording video and images, directed towards the platform, a central motor linked and rotating the platform in front of the camera, until a sample tube of interest is positioned in front of the camera, and an external motor positioned beside the platform, for rotating the sample tube of interest 360 over itself in front of the camera.

Claims

1. An automated high-resolution pupae counting device that comprises: a platform, one or more tube holders arranged on the platform, one or more sample tubes, inserted into each tube holder, and intended to contain pupae, a camera for recording video and image, directed towards the platform (1), connected to an external device that quantifies the time and number of pupae contained in each sample tube, a central motor linked to the platform, being the device characterized in that the central motor rotates the platform until a sample tube of interest is positioned in front of the camera, and in that the device additionally comprises: an external motor positioned beside the platform, that rotates the sample tube of interest 360 over itself in front of the camera.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the platform is circular and the tube holders are arranged in a circle.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the central motor and/or the external motor are stepper motors.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein it additionally comprises bearings, positioned between the tube holders and the platform.

5. (canceled)

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein it additionally comprises a lighting module, that illuminates the sample tubes.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the lighting module comprises an infrared light and a white light.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein the lightings module comprises a housing for humidity protection.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the external motor and the central motor comprise a housing for humidity protection.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] To complement the description being made and in order to aid towards a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description wherein, with illustrative and non-limiting character, the following has been represented:

[0030] FIG. 1.Shows a general view of the automated high-resolution pupae counting device.

[0031] FIG. 2.Shows an upper view of the device.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0032] With the help of FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of the automated high-resolution pupae counting device, object of the present invention, is described below.

[0033] The device, shown in a general view in FIG. 1, is intended for automated monitoring and counting of Drosophila development. It allows an automated high-resolution monitoring and counting of larvae and pupae over days to weeks. The device can automatically count hundreds of flies during weeks in a single experiment.

[0034] The device comprises a camera (6) for recording video and images, directed towards a circular platform (1), as shown in FIG. 1. On the platform (1), one or more tube holders (2) are arranged in a circular pattern, as shown in FIG. 2. A sample tube (3), where the pupas are placed, is inserted into each tube holder (2).

[0035] A central motor (4) is linked to the platform (1), rotating it in front of the camera (6), until a sample tube (3) of interest is positioned in front of the camera (6). An external motor (5) is positioned besides the platform (1), rotating the sample tube (3) of interest, which is the one closest to the camera (6). In this way, the sample tube (3) of interest can rotate 360 over itself, allowing the camera (6) to record its entire surface, and therefore all the pupae contained inside.

[0036] The central motor (4) and the external motor (5) are stepper motors, facilitating the angular rotation control of both the platform (1) and the sample tubes (3).

[0037] The device also comprises bearings, not shown in FIG. 1, positioned between the sample tubes (3) and the platform (1), and that allow their smooth rotation. The slow movements and the low noise are ideal for the recording of multiple adult-fly genotype. The flies do not notice a thing.

[0038] The camera (6) is connected to an external device that, using the video and images recorded by the camera (6), runs a software capable of automatically quantifying the time and number of pupae in different stages of development in the youth-adult transition contained in each sample tube (3). The external device also monitors parameters that can affect experimental results such as food quality, bacterial contamination, etc. For example, food quality can be determined by its color.

[0039] The device additionally comprises a lighting module, with an infrared and a white light, that illuminates the sample tubes (3), in order to recreate day and night. The lighting module allows to perform circadian clock experiments.

[0040] Both the motors (4, 5) and the lighting module comprise a housing that covers them with an internal insulator, in order to protect them from humidity and allowing a longer life span of the device.

[0041] To allow a better adaptability to any kind of experiment, the sample tubes (3) can be any standard fly food vial/tube, not requiring special lab equipment.

[0042] The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 allows the recording of up to twenty sample tubes (3), with the possibility to increase this number for high-efficiency experiments.