Research Opportunity Number: LSI-01

Project Title: Training the Auxodrome for Automated Segmentation of Drosophila Larvae

Project Summary: The proposed project will use the fruit fly Drosophila as an experimental model for the quantitative analysis of the juvenile-to-adult transition. Recent work has led to the design of the long-term imaging platform called the Auxodrome, in which 96 individually housed animals can be monitored from the time of their hatching from the embryo to the moment of the larval-to-pupa transition. 

The high school student will participate in the image processing of the resulting datasets, aiming to understand the joint dynamics of larval growth and movement patterns. The student will learn the basics of image processing and statistical analysis and will be embedded in the active and diverse research environment.

Student Roles and Responsibilities: Hand annotation of AI training set. Minimal processing using Python. Training of neural net (AI), computer vision, handling of Drosophila, high content data processing and Python programing.

Additional Considerations: Equipment used during this project includes a computer, microscope and Auxodrome (computer vision setup).

Department/Institute: Genomics/Lewis Sigler Institute of Integrative Genomics

Participation Dates: June 1 – July 31, 2025

Stipend Offered: $0

Number of Internships Available: 0-1

Application Deadline: March 15, 2025, midnight Eastern Daylight Time