High-throughput analysis is a challenge in C. elegans research. One example is the conduction of lifespan assays that rely on heavy manual work for a long period of time. In response, we devel- oped a robotic microfluidic-based platform, the SydLab™ One, capable of handling culture, treatment, and imaging of up to 64 worm populations in parallel in a fully automated manner. Combined with AI-based image analysis and data compilation, our platform provides, in record time, large comprehensive datasets spanning all essential features for aging studies.
To illustrate SydLab™ One’s robustness, we present a series of lifespan studies. We tested bench- mark interventions known to affect C. elegans lifespan, including defined conditions for dose-dependent responses to caloric restriction. We also validated the behaviour of 2 classic long-lived mutants (daf-2(e1370) and isp-1(qm150)). For all these conditions, the lifespan and healthspan of worms were evaluated throughout automated analysis of short brightfield videos acquired every 6 hours for up to a month. In addition, SydLab™ One also quantified the evolution of key aging features, including egg laying, size, motility and intestinal atrophy. With the large amount of data generated, we are investigating key age-related phenotypes that may serve as potential predictors of aging.
Altogether, SydLab™ One’s integrated technologies (microfluidic chips, robotics, optics, and AI-based software analysis pipelines) significantly reduced the bench time while exponentially increased the amount of datapoints obtained for multiple conditions in parallel. Therefore, promoting standardization and reproducibility thanks to end-to-end automation.