Resources

We build systems to accelerate studies of neural activity and behavior in living organisms.  Our current focus in in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.  Below are resources for this model organism, for the software tools we developed to quantify behavior (ArenaWormTracker) and neural activity (NeuroTracker), for the hardware builds, and for the microfabrication processes used to fabricate microfluidic devices.

C. elegans resources

Web resources, protocols, and more!

Software

ArenaWormTracker

This MATLAB software suite analyzes C. elegans behavior in microfluidic arenas.  Published in Albrecht & Bargmann, Nature Methods 2011.

 

 

20AnFrame8bit_AVG_stream_Nov 13 13_27_valve4_mov013 Neurotracker

(coming soon)
This ImageJ software package tracks fluorescent calcium signals in neurons of freely behaving animals. Published in Larsch et al., PNAS 2013.

 

 

Hardware

WormTrackerWormTracker

One of many many iterations available in the community to record animal behavior.  Ours is specifically designed for recording behavior in microfluidic arenas, but it works well for smaller agar plates recording also.

To build one, the parts list is available at arenawormtracker.blogspot.com.

 

 

Microfluidics

microfluidic_device

Microfluidics enables the observation of neural activity and behavior elicited by chemical stimuli in precise and repeatable patterns, both in space and time.  This environmental reproducibility is critical for the study of behavior, which is inherently a variable, often stochastic process.

gradient_blueWe design and fabricate microfluidic systems in-house at the WPI BioMedical Engineering-MicroFabrication Laboratory (BME-MFL) located at Gateway Park.

If you are interested in developing, using, or purchasing microfluidic devices or accessories, please contact us.  We are in preparation to offer devices or molds for purchase in a standard library design or, for additional costs, custom designs.

 

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