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Technologies bringing young Zebrafish from a niche field to the limelight

Otterstrom, Jason J; Lubin, Alexandra; Payne, Elspeth M; Paran, Yael; (2022) Technologies bringing young Zebrafish from a niche field to the limelight. SLAS Technology 10.1016/j.slast.2021.12.005. (In press). Green open access

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Abstract

Fundamental life science and pharmaceutical research are continually striving to provide physiologically relevant context for their biological studies. Zebrafish present an opportunity for high-content screening (HCS) to bring a true in vivo model system to screening studies. Zebrafish embryos and young larvae are an economical, human-relevant model organism that are amenable to both genetic engineering and modification, and direct inspection via microscopy. The use of these organisms entails unique challenges that new technologies are overcoming, including artificial intelligence (AI). In this perspective article, we describe the state-of-the-art in terms of automated sample handling, imaging, and data analysis with zebrafish during early developmental stages. We highlight advances in orienting the embryos, including the use of robots, microfluidics, and creative multi-well plate solutions. Analyzing the micrographs in a fast, reliable fashion that maintains the anatomical context of the fluorescently labeled cells is a crucial step. Existing software solutions range from AI-driven commercial solutions to bespoke analysis algorithms. Deep learning appears to be a critical tool that researchers are only beginning to apply, but already facilitates many automated steps in the experimental workflow. Currently, such work has permitted the cellular quantification of multiple cell types in vivo, including stem cell responses to stress and drugs, neuronal myelination and macrophage behavior during inflammation and infection. We evaluate pro and cons of proprietary versus open-source methodologies for combining technologies into fully automated workflows of zebrafish studies. Zebrafish are poised to charge into HCS with ever-greater presence, bringing a new level of physiological context.

Type: Article
Title: Technologies bringing young Zebrafish from a niche field to the limelight
Location: United States
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1016/j.slast.2021.12.005
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.slast.2021.12.005
Language: English
Additional information: © 2021 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Automation, High-Content Screening, Image Analysis, Zebrafish
UCL classification: UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Cancer Institute > Research Department of Haematology
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Cancer Institute
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10146519
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