The vivoChip-24x microfluidic device simultaneously immobilizes 960 C. elegans across 24 unique populations. High-resolution images of the nematode are captured using vivoVerse’s automated imaging platform. vivoBodySeg analyzes these images and precisely quantifies C. elegans body volume, allowing researchers to obtain robust DevTox data.
Austin, TX — vivoVerse is proud to announce the publication of groundbreaking research that sets a new benchmark for developmental toxicity (DevTox) testing. This study highlights the transformative potential of the vivoChip®, a large-scale microfluidic device, and vivoBodySeg, an advanced 2.5D U-Net segmentation tool, in overcoming longstanding challenges in toxicity testing.
DevTox testing is critical for evaluating the adverse effects of chemical exposures on an organism’s development. The scientific and regulatory communities are shifting towards new approach methodologies (NAMs) to reduce reliance on expensive and time-consuming mammalian models. The nematode C. elegans has emerged as a promising model for rapid, cost-effective toxicity testing due to its practical advantages in developmental biology studies. However, existing low-resolution, labor-intensive methods have limited the ability to conduct sub-lethal, high-throughput DevTox studies —until now.
vivoBodySeg correctly identifies C. elegans within the vivoChip channels and analyzes key developmental endpoints including worm length, body size, and volume with high precision. This technology allows for cost-effective, high-throughput DevTox testing of chemicals.
The vivoChip platform enables the rapid acquisition of high-resolution 3D images from approximately 1,000 C. elegans specimens across 24 populations in a single run. By integrating a new AI platform (vivoBodySeg) with the state-of-the-art segmentation capabilities, researchers can rapidly and accurately analyze the images to quantify chemically treated C. elegans’ developmental phenotypes. vivoVerse’s AI technology achieves a remarkable average Dice score (similarity between the model output and human segmented data) of 97.80, ensuring precise and reliable image analysis. The fully automated AI-platform processes 36 GB of data per device in just 35 minutes on a standard desktop computer—a speed 140 times faster than traditional manual analysis methods.
Key advancements highlighted in the study include:
- High-Throughput Imaging: vivoChip imaging platform captures high-resolution data from elegans at unprecedented speed and scale.
- Robust Automated Phenotyping: AI-assisted image analysis platform measures multiple body parameters and autofluorescence-based phenotypes >140 times faster than manual approaches.
- Enhanced Statistical Power: High-throughput DevTox platform assesses chemical toxicity with high statistical power and accurate estimation of effective concentrations (4-8% coefficient of variance).
“This publication marks a significant milestone for vivoVerse and the broader scientific community. By leveraging cutting-edge imaging and AI-assisted image analysis technologies, we are enabling researchers to conduct more precise and faster DevTox studies than ever before,” said Adela Ben Yakar, CEO at vivoVerse. “We are thrilled to provide a platform that not only enhances research capabilities but also aligns with the global movement towards NAMs and ethical research practices.”
This breakthrough underscores vivoVerse’s commitment to empowering scientists with innovative tools that accelerate discovery while minimizng our reliance on the traditional mammalian testing models. The vivoChip and vivoBodySeg AI-technologies are poised to redefine the future of developmental biology and toxicity testing.
For more information about vivoVerse’s technologies and the full research publication, contact support@vivoverse.com.
vivoChip facilitates repeatable and accurate measurement of sensitive DevTox parameters such as body length and volume, analogous to the traditional mammalian study endpoint of body weight. These data allow estimation of effective concentrations with high confidence.
About vivoVerse:
vivoVerse specializes in developing cutting-edge automated microscopy systems and analytical tools for high-throughput biological research. By combining state-of-the-art imaging platforms with advanced computational models, vivoVerse empowers scientists to unlock new insights in developmental biology, toxicology, and beyond.
