The plate-specific custom gasket is not shown. Gaskets are molded from clear silicone to tightly fit the desired plate profile
Vibration Stage
The vibration stage uses a software-controllable 10,000 RPM vibration motor to shake the entire stage, stimulating activity in C. elegans on solid media.
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The stage rests on vibration isolators. A custom-manufactured silicone gasket (not shown) seals the worm plate to the stage to ensure transmission of the stimulus to the plate.
Compatible with WormWatcher imaging stations and Basic Imaging Platforms
Add-on capabilities for imaging products
Our WormWatcher imaging systems are designed to accommodate a wide variety of customizations, some of which are discussed below. Our Basic Imaging Platforms can also accept some modifications, but they aren't designed for applications requiring high-intensity LEDs like optical stimulation or fluorescence imaging. Contact us to discuss any of these applications or your own customization requests.
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Optical stimulation
High-intensity LED banks with either blue or green emitters can be used to generate an irradiance of 0.3 to 1.0 mW/mm2 at the stage depending on the choice of condenser and/or filters.
Typical applications include stimulating C. elegans activity or optogenetic proteins.
Only compatible with WormWatcher systems - not compatible with Basic Imaging Platforms
Fluorescence imaging
The high-intensity LED emitters can be configured with a wide variety of possible excitation filters to enable wide-field fluorescence imaging. Possible applications include tracking fluorescently tagged worms separately from non-fluorescing animals.
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The figure shows RFP-expressing C. elegans imaged under a green excitation/red emission fluorescence configurations. Custom software allows users to easily switch between dark field and fluorescence imaging modes.
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Only compatible with WormWatcher systems - not compatible with Basic Imaging Platforms