Volumetric phenotype quantification of in-vivo aquatic model using high-throughput optical coherence tomography

Embryos of aquatic models such as zebrafish and Xenopus have been widely used in phenotype screening due to their genetic similarities to humans and small size, which is suitable for high-throughput studies. To analyze their phenotypes, it is the most common method to observe and record the samples under conventional microscopy. However, the measurements and the analytical results are inevitably dependent on 2D space, and such restriction makes it challenging to access more complicated phenotypic features that are distributed in 3D space. In this study, we propose a high-throughput optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanner that can non-invasively scan the volumetric structures of embryo without any labelling compounds. We designed a custom PDMS plate that contains a number of in vivo samples, minimizing the motion artifact and allowing precise sample imaging. Using this platform, we conducted quantitative phenotype analysis to compare differences between genetic mutation and wild-type specimens. Our results demonstrate that our platform quantifies the morphological changes of related organs day-wise, significantly reducing the time-consuming procedures and labor-intensive tasks. Furthermore, the high-throughput OCT scanner is also suitable for application in drug screening, where rapid and accurate phenotypic assessment is crucial. Our research provides an efficient and broadly applicable approach for 3D imaging and quantitative phenotype analysis, facilitating more detailed and comprehensive studies in genetics, phenomics, and developmental biology. We anticipate that our platform will significantly expand research opportunities and contribute to a deeper understanding of complex biological processes.