Automated vision-based force measurement of moving C. elegans

Ali Ghanbari, Volker Nock, Richard J. Blaikie, Xiaoqi Chen, J. Geoffrey Chase, Wenhui Wang

Abstract: this paper reports an automated tracking and force measurement system for C. elegans in motion, based on microscopy computer vision. A polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) device was microfabricated to allow C. elegans to move in a matrix of micropillars in a channel. An image processing algorithm has been developed to track the worm and deflecting micropillars automatically in purpose of quantifying multipoint locomotive forces of a moving C. elegans. The developed system is able to visually resolve force with a 0.33 µN resolution. A maximum force level of 55.41 µN for a young adult wild type C. elegans was observed.