Apparatus for microscopic worm observation

Abstract

Microscopic worm culture and observation apparatus () comprising a support structure (), one or more chip holders () mounted on the support structure, a pump (P) and a valve system (V), each chip holder configured for holding a microfluidic chip () having one or more microfluidic channels () and culture chambers () therein extending between a pump side coupling () of the microfluidic chip and a reservoir side coupling () of the microfluidic chip. The support structure comprises a reservoirs support platform () mounted on a movable table (), the reservoirs support platform () configured for holding a plurality of nutrition reservoirs () for containing microscopic worms or nutrients and substances to be tested in a liquid. The chip holder () and/or microfluidic chips () comprise reservoir side fluidic couplings () in the form of hollow tubes extending from the microfluidic chip () to a tip () at a free end of the hollow tube, each tip () insertable in a corresponding nutrition reservoir (). The support structure comprises an enclosure () forming a chamber within which the one or more chip holders and the reservoirs support platform is housed, and a temperature control unit () and a temperature sensor () for control of the temperature within the chamber, the enclosure comprising an openable or removable cover () allowing access to the inside of the enclosure.