bioRxiv Science⌕ Search

Biology subjects

Demeautis, C.

Publications and source records attributed to Demeautis, C..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Smart Microscopy: Current Implementations and a Roadmap for Interoperability

Smart microscopy is transforming life sciences by automating experimental imaging workflows and enabling real-time adaptation based on feedback from images and other data streams. This shift increases throughput, improves reproducibility, and expands the functional capabilities of microscopes. However, the current landscape is highly fragmented. Academic researchers often develop custom solutions for specific scientific needs, while industry offerings are typically proprietary and tied to specific hardware. This diversity, while fostering innovation, also creates major challenges in interoperability, reproducibility, and standardization, which slows progress and adaption. This article presents a collaborative effort between academic and industry leaders to survey the current state of smart microscopy, highlight representative implementations, and identify common technical and organizational barriers. We propose a framework for greater interoperability based on shared standards, modular software design, and community-driven development. Our goal is to support collaboration across the field and lay the groundwork for a more connected, reusable, and accessible smart microscopy ecosystem. We conclude with a call to action for researchers, hardware developers, and institutions to join in building an open, interoperable foundation that will unlock the full potential of smart microscopy in life science research.

cell biology↗

The Roboscope: Smart and Fast Microscopy for Generic Event-Driven Acquisition

Automation of fluorescence microscopy is a challenge for capturing rare or transient events in biology and medicine. It relies on smart devices that integrate and interpret the observed data, and react to the targeted biological event. We report on the Roboscope, a novel autonomous microscope combining sequence interruption and deep learning integration, allowing generic event-driven acquisitions. This system distinguishes itself by its adaptability to various experiments, quick capture of dynamic events, and minimal data greediness - training with less than 100 images per class. The Roboscopes capability is demonstrated in non-synchronized cells by capturing the metaphase, a 20-minute event happening once per day or less. Conversely, double thymidine-block synchronisation, despite occurring during DNA replication, may perturb mitotic-spindle mechanics. The Roboscopes versatility and efficiency offer significant advancements to tackle the current challenges of cell biology, spreading out advanced microscopy methods to fundamental research as well as high content screening and precision medicine.

bioengineering↗

Optimised FRET pairs and quantification approaches to detect the activation of Aurora kinase A at mitosis

Genetically-encoded Forsters Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) biosensors are indispensable tools to sense the spatiotemporal dynamics of signal transduction pathways. Investigating the crosstalk between different signalling pathways is becoming increasingly important to follow cell development and fate programs. To this end, FRET biosensors must be optimised to monitor multiple biochemical activities simultaneously and in single cells. In addition, their sensitivity must be increased to follow their activation even when the abundance of the biosensor is low. We describe here the development of a second generation of Aurora kinase A/AURKA biosensors. First, we adapt the original AURKA biosensor -GFP-AURKA-mCherry- to multiplex FRET by using dark acceptors as ShadowG or ShadowY. Then, we use the novel superYFP acceptor protein to measure FRET by 2-colour Fluorescence Cross-Correlation Spectroscopy, in cytosolic regions where the abundance of AURKA is extremely low and undetectable with the original AURKA biosensor. These results pave the way to the use of FRET biosensors to follow AURKA activation in conjunction with substrate-based activity biosensors. In addition, they open up the possibility of tracking the activation of small pools of AURKA and its interaction with novel substrates, which would otherwise remain undetectable with classical biochemical approaches.

cell biology↗