The first chick brain with non-invasively embedded beads: a foundation for the automation of brain research

Abstract

Abstract Background The automation of biotechnology, such as next-generation DNA sequencing, revolutionarily provides massive amounts of data and integrates various research fields. By contrast, many non-automated brain research fields are not interconnected with one other. In this study, we developed a basis for the automation of brain research. Two major technical barriers for the automation of brain research in vertebrates are the necessity for skull incision and a precise inoculation system for probes, devices, and electrodes in defined brain locations. Results The former barrier in the background was overcome by inoculating probes into the future brain area of chick embryos before skull formation. Fluorescent micro-beads that mimic probes were inoculated into the future brain area of chick embryos, and 20% of the manipulated embryos hatched, with 71% of the hatched chicks containing multiple beads in their brains. Conclusions With this technique, beads are embedded inside the brain without skull incision, promising a novel non-invasive method that overcomes the drawbacks associated with traditional invasive brain manipulation.