AMi

AMi automates high-throughput imaging of samples in multi-well plates to acquire multi-plane (z-stack) images for cellular and microbial assays.

Key Features:

• Hardware Configuration: The system uses an X, Y, Z translation stage for precise positioning and an Arduino-based board running GRBL firmware for movement control.
• Software Interface: AMiGUI runs on a Raspberry Pi under Python to perform image acquisition and system control.
• Image Storage Options: Captured images can be stored locally on the Raspberry Pi or transferred to a remote disk.
• Multi-Well Plate Support: The system supports imaging of multi-well plates and includes an automated z-stack depth-of-field enhancement script.
• Manual and Automated Imaging: The platform supports both automated imaging sequences and manual image capture/inspection.

Scientific Applications:

• Cell Biology: High-throughput imaging of cellular cultures and phenotypic assays in multi-well formats.
• Microbiology: Imaging of microbial cultures across multi-well plates for growth and morphology studies.
• Pharmacology: Large-scale drug screening using automated multi-well imaging.
• High-Throughput Assays: Imaging workflows for gene expression analysis and phenotypic screening via z-stack acquisition.

Methodology:

Movement control is performed by an Arduino-based board running GRBL; image acquisition and control are executed by AMiGUI on a Raspberry Pi using Python; an automated z-stack depth-of-field enhancement script generates multi-plane images and captured files are stored locally or transferred to a remote disk.