Automating microinjections in fruit fly embryos using robots
Official title: Machine vision guided robotics for automated microinjections into fruit fly embryos
Funded at Objective Biotechnology, INC. · NIH-11013464 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 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 | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $294,543 |
| NIH project number | 1R43OD037625-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11013464 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are laboratories and researchers working with Drosophila melanogaster who require efficient methods for creating transgenic lines.
✕Less likely to help
Patients or individuals not involved in genetic research or those working with other model organisms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a machine vision guided robot to automate the microinjection process in fruit fly embryos, which is crucial for creating genetically modified organisms. The robot utilizes machine learning to accurately identify embryos and perform injections at precise locations, significantly speeding up the process compared to traditional manual methods. This innovation aims to reduce the reliance on skilled technicians and streamline the generation of transgenic fruit fly lines, which are important for various biological studies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could greatly enhance the efficiency and accessibility of genetic research in fruit flies, leading to faster advancements in biological and medical sciences.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of robotics in laboratory settings is growing, this specific application of machine vision for microinjections in fruit flies is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
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
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Automated machine-vision microinjection system for diverse species
A robotics platform uses machine vision to automatically inject embryos, speeding up creation of transgenic animals while reducing the need for highly skilled technicians.
-
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-
Bionic Imaging Platform helps mice move and see brain activity
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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.