Automated machine-vision microinjection system for diverse species
Official title: A computer-vision guided automated microinjection system with increased robustness, throughput, and generalizability to diverse species
Funded at Objective Biotechnology, INC. · NIH-11409842 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A robotics platform uses machine vision to automatically inject embryos, speeding up creation of transgenic animals while reducing the need for highly skilled technicians.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Objective Biotechnology, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,200,472 |
| NIH project number | 2R44OD037625-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11409842 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patients directly; this is a technology development grant.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient participation anticipated in this project.
What this research studies
This project centers on a robot that uses machine vision and learning to locate embryos on agar plates and perform precise microinjections. It aims to automate a traditionally manual process to generate transgenic and mutant animals much faster and with less training. The work will adapt the system for multiple species, starting with Drosophila and expanding to others. If successful, researchers could produce customized, high-throughput transgenic lines more efficiently and consistently.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit indirectly from faster development of gene-based therapies and disease models.
How similar studies have gone: Prior small-scale automation efforts showed improved throughput; this project aims for broader generalizability and commercialization.
Where this research is happening
-
Objective Biotechnology, INC.
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alegria, Andrew D — Objective Biotechnology, INC.
- Study coordinator: Alegria, Andrew D
Related research
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-
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-
Automating microinjections in fruit fly embryos using robots
This study is testing a smart robot that can help scientists quickly and accurately inject tiny fruit fly embryos, making it easier to create genetically modified flies for research without needing as many skilled workers.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.