FPGA-based bio-cybernetic automation system for lab-on-a-chip zebrafish embryo arrays

Zebrafish embryo is a popular model organism for in-situ toxicology analysis. It offers advantages over traditional bioassays by allowing visualisation of developing tissues and organs in response to chemical treatment. Over recent years, lab-on-A-chip (LoC) technology was introduced to handle zebrafish embryos in large quantities and to improve the throughput of in-situ experiments. Chip-based microfluidic devices offer flexible platforms for trapping and observing embryos, as well as allowing small quantity chemical treatment. However, experiment procedures remain laborious and require constant operator attention without a fully automated system. In this paper, a novel field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based bio-cybernetic system, that works with LoC devices for handling zebrafish embryos, controlling chemical perfusion, and acquiring image data periodically, is described. The developed system is capable of handling up to 100 embryos in a single experiment. The functionalities have been tested by performing multiple time lapse experiments of up to 72 hours.