Abstract: A system for injecting a substance into one or more cells of a cell population in a tissue sample, comprising: a robotic manipulator apparatus configured to hold and position a micropipette; an injector controller; a robotic apparatus configured to manipulate a focal plane of a microscope; and a computing device configured to, for each respective cell of the one or more cells of the tissue sample: determine a 3-dimensional location of the respective cell based on images formed by the microscope and captured by a microscope camera; control the robotic manipulator apparatus to insert the micropipette into the respective cell; and control injector controller to eject the substance out of the micropipette and into the respective cell.

Abstract: Techniques are described for automated microinjection of substances, such as genetic material, into microscopic objects, such as embryos. An example system includes a pressure controller, a stereoscopic imaging apparatus, a first camera, a second camera, and a computing system. The computing system is configured to apply one or more computer vision algorithms that determine, based on image data generated by the stereoscopic imaging apparatus, first camera, and second camera, a location of a tip of a micropipette and a location of a particular microscopic object in three-dimensional space. The computing system is further configured to control the pressure controller to cause the micropipette to eject the substance from the tip of the micropipette and into the particular microscopic object.

Abstract: In an automated methodology for in vivo image-guided cell patch clamping, a cell patch clamping device is moved into position and targeted to a specific cell using automated image-guided techniques. Cell contact is determined by analyzing the temporal series of measured resistance levels at the clamping device as it is moved. The difference between successive resistance levels is compared to a threshold, which must be exceeded before cell contact is assumed. Pneumatic control methods are used to achieve gigaseal formation and cell break-in, leading to whole-cell patch clamp formation. An automated robotic system capable of performing this methodology automatically performs patch clamping in vivo, automatically locating cells through image guidance and by analyzing the temporal sequence of electrode impedance changes.

Abstract: In an automated methodology for in vivo image-guided cell patch clamping, a cell patch clamping device is moved into position and targeted to a specific cell using automated image-guided techniques. Cell contact is determined by analyzing the temporal series of measured resistance levels at the clamping device as it is moved. The difference between successive resistance levels is compared to a threshold, which must be exceeded before cell contact is assumed. Pneumatic control methods are used to achieve gigaseal formation and cell break-in, leading to whole-cell patch clamp formation. An automated robotic system capable of performing this methodology automatically performs patch clamping in vivo, automatically locating cells through image guidance and by analyzing the temporal sequence of electrode impedance changes.