ASI - XYZ Tracker for Automated Imaging

The XYZ Tracker is an advanced system utilized for automated imaging of freely moving or semi-restrained model organisms such as C. elegans, drosophila larvae, and larval zebra fish. It plays a critical role in studies involving behavioral genetics, neuronal activity linkage to behaviors, and responsive stimuli probing. The tracker maintains the specimen within the field of view and in focus by utilizing ASI’s Tunable Lens and a secondary camera. This setup captures images from multiple focal planes without moving the objective or sample, adjusting the XYZ axes automatically as needed. It includes a software plug-in and integrates with ASI's XY and Z stages. The system leverages Micro-Manager, an open-source imaging solution supporting a wide range of cameras and microscopes, to control and adjust components effectively. The integration of tunable lenses, C-mounts, and robust tracking mechanisms makes it optimal for intricate imaging tasks in scientific research.