2022: Russian scientists create robot microscope capable of releasing cancer cells
Russian scientists, together with colleagues from Hungary and Finland, have created a robot microscope capable of isolating cancer cells. The system was named SpheroidPicker.
It includes a stereo microscope, syringe, stage and manipulator controller. The automatic screening function allows you to obtain light-field images of spheroids. The segmentation and feature extraction steps are based on a deep learning model. Once the spheroids are selected, the spheroid collector automatically transfers them to the target plate.
The system is built on a stereo microscope with a long working distance, allowing you to place the pipette between the sample and the lens. This microscope has a built-in 10-megapixel CMOS camera directly connected to the controller. A two-coordinate micromanipulator is installed next to the microscope, which can be controlled up to a micrometer. A specially designed syringe pump with a stepper motor provides fluid movement with high accuracy (3 µL). The rhotized microscope is very small, mobile and can be installed under a sterile casing.
According to the developers, the system can support or completely replace a person during the processing of cell cultures. She herself can automatically select and transmit 3D cell cultures for further experiments.
SpheroidPicker is able to isolate spheroids - three-dimensional cell cultures in which cells aggregate, produce an extracellular matrix, forming a spherical structure. This structure more closely mimics the microenvironment of solid tumors. To investigate drug action and tumor behavior, spheroid models must have uniform morphology, microenvironment, and cellular physiology. In most cases, pre-selection of spheroids by their morphology is a very time-consuming and inconsistent process, as it requires human assistance.[1]
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