Real-time motion analysis of euglena cells swimming in a microfluidic chip for environmental toxicity biosensing

Abstract

We developed an automatic categorization algorithm, which distinguishes the motion of micro-algae cells real-time with image processing. The motion of the micro-algae cells, confined in a closed space of microchip (micro-aquarium), was captured, and converted to trace images. The traces were sectioned by rectangular shapes, and categorized to straightforward swimming or on-site rotation, by aspect ratio and filling factor of the rectangular. The automatic categorization enables to detect the abnormal motion of the cells evoked by test chemicals real-time, which is important for sensing the metabolic-disturbing substances quickly.