EmbryoPhenomics
for lab and field
Capturing the process of early development presents a formidable challenge to scientists.
We have built a range of automated, high-throughput phenomic technologies capable of monitoring
early development in the laboratory and the field.
LabEmbryoCam
The high-dimensional-organismal-phenotyping of aquatic embryos is the central function of the LabEmbryoCam units. To achieve this we integrate custom hardware and software. As a research group we work on a range of species and so these technologies are versatile and transferrable between species and research questions. Integrated within the LabEmbryoCam units is the ability to finely control the embryonic environment and this enables us to simulate environmental conditions to understand how the embryonic development. We are currently drawing on 3D printing and advances in embedded vision to further advance the versatility of this platform - watch this space or contact Oli Tills if you are interested to hear more.
FieldEmbryoCam
A recurring dilemma amongst scientists, particularly marine biologists, is how to transition research performed in the laboratory out to the environment. Technologies that are available for use in the laboratory are typically far more sophisticated than those that can be deployed in the environment. We are driving forwards the transfer of approaches that are central to the LabEmbryoCam technologies in the laboratory, out into the field environment. FieldEmbryoCam is at an exciting stage of initial field-testing and close to being able to directly monitor how embryos are putting themselves together within the hugely dynamic natural environment. Watch this space to learn more.
Automated Analysis
Computer vision can tell us how developing animals
respond to a changing world. Our research utilises
open source software in Python and R.
Whole organism responses
Embryo Computer Vision (EmbryoCV) is an open source Python package developed by Dr Oli Tills and colleagues enabling the automated measurement of aspects of embryonic morphology, physiology and behaviour. We utilise simple changes in pixel values within video to capture all aspects of embryonic movement, either physiological or behavioural in origin, and express these as frequency data. This enables the measurement of high-dimensional phenotypic change in ways that are largely transferable between species, and stages of development.
Cardiac performance
Heart function is a key component of organismal physiology. HeartCV is an open source Python package for the automated measurement of heart rate and heart rate variability in transparent embryos. Developed by Ziad Ibbini, HeartCV integrates automated localisation of the embryonic heart, and is transferable to a range of species with different cardiac morphologies.
Movement dynamics
Optical flow is a computer vision approach used to measure the motion of objects between consecutive frames of a video. This enables us to measure movement dynamics in developing embryos, including displacement of the embryos inside the egg, as well as relative rates of positive and negative rotation. We have used these approaches to measure whole-animal responses to various chemicals, and make inferences over movement metrics of developing animals in the field.
Promoting sustainability.
Reduce.
To reduce our plastic footprint, we use additive manufacturing methods, such as 3D printing, using filament produced from recycled plastic.
Reuse.
We reuse all plastic waste created during the curation of EmbryoPhenomic units in addition to developing methods to reuse plastic waste washed up on our shores.
Recycle.
We are developing new approaches to recycling plastic waste on site to produce the filament needed to build new units.