Project

Computer-Assisted Transgenesis

Groups

Our novel platform automates experiments in genetic engineering to bring large-scale moonshot projects within reach. Too often, lab experiments are limited in scale by human fatigue and costs associated with manual labor. In particular, the process of delivering genetic materials via manual microinjection remains a long-standing bottleneck. We  developed a computer-assisted microinjection platform to streamline the production of transgenic organisms. Briefly, organisms are immobilized in a gel and microinjections are performed using precision robotics using computer vision algorithms. This platform demonstrated high-throughput gene editing in an animal model (C. elegans) for the first time. We use this technology to refine and create safeguards for our gene drive and population editing technologies.