System for comprehensive tracking and analysis of C. elegans behaviors

描述（由申请人提供）：我们提出了一种由计算机化显微镜系统组成的商业产品，该系统允许研究人员对自由移动的C的运动和其他复杂行为进行自动定量分析。线虫利用土壤线虫C.线虫作为毒理学研究中实用而有效的模型，需要建立自动化技术来评估不同实验条件下的生长、大小、繁殖、摄食和运动。目前，大多数评价C.秀丽线虫表型行为是手工进行的且费力，这排除了中等通量的研究。我们相信，引入这一强大的商业软件解决方案将大大有助于进一步取代和减少传统的毒理学试验的替代体内毒理学试验，使用C。优雅 公共卫生相关性：拟议的项目将增加涉及使用模式生物秀丽隐杆线虫（C。elegans）。这将使研究人员能够自动执行目前手动执行的复杂而费力的任务。该项目的总体效果将显著提高毒理学、环境监测、生态学和神经科学研究等不同领域的研究生产力和有效性。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We propose a commercial product composed of a computerized microscope system that allows investigators to perform automated, quantitative analyses of locomotory and other complex behaviors of freely moving C. elegans nematodes. Using the soil nematode, C. elegans, as a practical and efficient model in toxicology studies requires creation of automated technologies to evaluate growth, size, reproduction, feeding, and movement under different experimental conditions. Currently, most methods to assess C. elegans phenotypic behavior are manual and laborious to perform which precludes medium-throughput studies. We believe that introduction of this robust commercial software solution will significantly contribute to further replacement and reduction of conventional toxicology tests by alternative in vivo toxicology assays using C. elegans. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The proposed project will increase the throughput of studies involving quantitative behavioral analysis using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). This will allow researchers to automatically perform complex and laborious tasks which are presently performed manually. The overall effect of this project will significantly improve the productivity and effectiveness of research in such diverse fields as toxicology, environmental monitoring, ecology and neuroscience research.