Poster – Adaptation of an AI-Based Robotic Platform for Automated Medaka Embryo Sorting
Manual sorting of Medaka (Oryzias latipes) embryos for toxicology is labor-intensive and operator dependent. Following the OECD 234 (1), OECD 240 (2), OECD 251 (3) and OECD 252 (4) guidelines to medaka embryo testing, for endocrine disruption assays, requires strict validation of embryo staging and quality. Conventional manual methods for counting and sorting are not only laborious and time consuming but also provide ergonomic hazards. The everyday counting and sorting of substantial quantities can result in musculo skeletal strain, causing discomfort in the neck, shoulders, and back among workers. This study adapts a zebrafish-focused robotic platform for Medaka, by retraining AI models for Medaka morphology and optimizing physical handling parameters, aiming to reduce the load on personnel and minimize the time spent on counting, allowing it to be better allocated to other tasks.
Bionomous releases Sortivo™, a new automated platform to handle complex biological models and accelerate NAMs adoption
Bionomous new automated solution Bionomous, the Swiss-based startup that builds devices to automate processes in life science research, announces today the launch of its new platform, Sortivo™. The device automates the screening, sorting and plating of complex biological entities from 300 µm to ~2 mm such as zebrafish embryos and organoids, workflows that, until now, […]
Advancing 3D Cell Culture with Automation: Organoids, Spheroids and Assembloids
The shift to 3D cell culture, with spheroids, organoids, and assembloids, is opening new doors in biological research, offering models that better mimic human tissues and disease. Yet as these models become more intricate, so do the challenges: ensuring uniformity, establishing reproducible and scalable production, etc. This month, we explore how automation is helping researchers […]
Application note – Intelligent Automation for Advanced 3D Models
Would you like to automate your organoids workflows to standardise and scale your assays? Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models are transforming biomedical research by enabling in vitro physiologically relevant systems that better mimic native tissue structure and function. While constructs generation technologies have advanced significantly, downstream processes such as selection, characterization, and plating often remain […]
How Automation is Advancing Fish Models in Toxicology
When it comes to toxicology, fish embryo offer something rare: models that are fast, ethically sound, and biologically relevant. But as research scales up, manual workflows can become a bottleneck, limiting both speed and reproducibility. In this month’s article, we explore how automation is changing the game, helping labs unlock the full potential of fish […]
Stronger together: how NAMs can be combined to achieve more predictive results
New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) are increasingly used to study biological effects in more human-relevant and ethical ways, yet each model captures only part of the picture. In this month’s article, we explore how combining complementary NAMs, such as 3D cell cultures (e.g. organoids and spheroids) and zebrafish embryos, can help strengthen interpretation and improve confidence […]
From Manual Handling to Automation: The Future of Zebrafish Embryo Workflows
Handling zebrafish embryos may seem simple, but doing it at scale is often a real challenge. This month’s article explores how workflows are shifting toward automation to support higher throughput, better reproducibility, and streamlined research processes. Introduction Current Workflows in Zebrafish Embryo Research The Role of Automation Applications in Drug Testing, Toxicity & More Conclusions […]
EvoDevo in Zebrafish: Bridging Evolution, Development, and Drug Discovery
Evolutionary Developmental Biology, also known as EvoDevo, explores how developmental processes shape evolutionary change. Zebrafish, with their unique genetic and developmental features, have become a cornerstone for EvoDevo research and a powerful tool for drug discovery and toxicity testing. This article introduces the science behind EvoDevo, the advantages of zebrafish as a model, and how […]
Bionomous partners with ViewPoint for the distribution of the EggSorter
Exciting collaboration between ViewPoint and Bionomous! We are thrilled to announce a new partnership between ViewPoint and Bionomous for the distribution of Bionomous’ products! ViewPoint is a French company with offices in France, the US and China that specializes in video image processing for animal behavior analysis. By leveraging its 30 years of expertise, ViewPoint […]
Poster – Efficiency in Zebrafish Research: A Comparative Analysis Using the Automated EggSorter
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have become a crucial model organism in biomedical research owing to their genetic resemblance to humans, optical transparency in embryonic stages, and accelerated development. Since the beginning of this year, our zebrafish facility has generated an estimated 438,197 embryos, out of which 33,437 embryos were used to facilitate a diverse range of experimental endeavors. The efficient management of substantial amounts of embryos is crucial for ensuring experimental repeatability, enabling high-throughput screening, and enhancing workflow efficiency.
Conventional manual methods for counting and sorting are not only laborious and time-consuming but also provide ergonomic hazards. The everyday counting and sorting of substantial quantities can result in musculoskeletal strain, causing discomfort in the neck, shoulders, and back among workers. We have introduced an automated embryo counter/sorter to reduce the load on personnel and minimize the time spent on counting, allowing it to be better allocated to other tasks. Since the introduction of the EggSorter, a total of 117,956 embryos were produced, out of which 106,186 (90.02%) embryos were counted on the machine.
The primary objective of this study is to assess the efficiency, accuracy, and time efficiency of an automated method. This study aims to evaluate the potential health benefits of minimizing manual handling, including the reduction of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Using the EggSorter can facilitate enhanced precision, enabling staff to reallocate time to other research endeavors and improve overall operational efficiency. This comparative research underscores the need for implementing automated systems to manage substantial embryo volumes, thereby ensuring experimental reliability, operational efficiency, and the welfare of individuals.