Attachment 1 - Minimum Specifications for High Throughput Microscope.docx

SPECIFICATIONS FOR HIGH THROUGHPUT AUTOMATED MICROSCOPE

I. SPECIFICATIONS FOR A HIGH THROUGHPUT AUTOMATED MICROSCOPE

II. OVERVIEW: The NRL has a critical need for a high throughput light microscope for automated live cell microscopy workflows capable of automatically supplying and removing immersion medium for complex automated workflows.

III. BACKGROUND: The high throughput automated microscope capable of complex extended workflows is a critical tool for biomanufacturing quality control and phenotyping discovery in live cell microscopy. The current capabilities in Section 6392 consist of routine microscopes that are largely manual in their operation and therefore not appropriate for high throughput automated live cell screens. Additionally, these capabilities lack the capability of adaptive phase gradient contrast for interference contrast imagery and lack the ability to incorporate a water auto-immersion objective of at least 50X magnification and 1.2 numerical aperture. Having a high throughput light microscope in the section will allow us to meet the critical milestones of our biomanufacturing research efforts currently funded externally by the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense (OUSD).

IV. SCOPE: The high throughput automated microscope system is comprised of six individual components: (a) a robotic microscope platform capable of automatically loading samples and changing optics, (b) microscope objectives, (c) light sources and optical filters, (d) cameras, (e) an imaging workstation and, (f) Image acquisition and analysis software. The system shall provide automated live cell imagery on high throughput well plates for periods of hours to days while ensuring optimal cell health as required by the currently OUSD funded biomanufacturing program entitled: “Rapid, In-Line Biomaterial Quality Control Based on Machine Vision & High-Dimensional Analytics” V. SPECIFICATIONS AND SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS FOR HIGH THROUGHPUT AUTOMATED MICROSCOPE The high throughput automated microscope, hereinafter referred to as “The System” shall be comprised of six (6) individual components: (a) a robotic microscope platform capable of automatically loading samples and changing optics, (b) microscope objectives, (c) light sources and optical filters, (d) cameras, (e) an imaging workstation and, (f) Image acquisition and analysis software. The system SHALL meet all of the following minimum technical, physical, and performance requirements:

A. ADAPTIVE PHASE GRADIENT CONTRAST: Adaptive phase gradient contrast optics for interference contrast imagery compatible with plastic or glass substrates and independent of supernatant nutrient medium B. WATER AUTOIMMERSION OBJECTIVES: One or more water autoimmersion objectives, of at least 50X magnification and 1.2 numerical aperture, in which the immersion medium is automatically supplied and removed for complex automated workflows that extend for hours to days.

C. ADAPTIVE LENS GUARD: An adaptive lens guard for avoiding carrier plate collisions for preventing collisions with carrier plate as determined from each inserted plate.

D. UV DISINFECTION: Automated UV disinfection system to prevent cross contamination of samples.

E. The overall system and all components shall be compatible with a typical instrument laboratory setting in terms of power and utility needs, and safety considerations.