Comparison between traditional robotic SCNT process and new robotic batch SCNT process. (a) Area distribution in traditional SCNT. (b) Traditional SCNT process. (c) Distribution in new robotic batch SCNT. (d) New robotic SCNT process.

On July 16, the research team led by Professor Xin Zhao, College of Artificial Intelligence, Nankai University received a congratulatory email from IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering (IEEE TASE), the top academic journal in the field of intelligent control. The papers on robotic cloning published by Post-doc Yaowei Liu and Associate Professor Mingzhu Sun of the team won the only Best New Application Paper Award of IEEE TASE in 2020.

The somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is an important step in the cloning process, which has been completed manually for decades. In the traditional SCNT operation process, the operating efficiency will decrease sharply with time because the operator needs to observe under the microscope for a long time. Although the previous researches on robotic SCNT have shortened the operation time, the traditional operation process is still used.

Xin Zhao’s team designed a new robotic batch SCNT process based on a microfluidic groove and two micropipettes in parallel. By using this new SCNT process, the operating area switching, objective lens conversing, and focusing on the traditional SCNT process were eliminated, and oocyte localization was simplified, which saved much operating time. Experimental results showed that the new robotic batch process reduced about 50s (41.7%) compared with the manual process (proposed 70 s versus manual 120s). A success rate of 93.3% (n=30) and a survival rate of 96.4% were achieved (n=28), which were similar to the manual process. The new robotic batch SCNT method demonstrated a high degree of efficiency and reproducibility.

In May 2020, the paper Robotic Batch Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Based on Microfluidic Groove  was published in IEEE TASE.

The IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (IEEE RAS) has given a high evaluation of the theoretical value and the wide application prospect of this paper. The award will also be announced at the top conference of automation: 2021 International Conference on Automation Science and Engineering (CASE 2021).

It is reported that, the team of Professor Xin Zhao has carried out cooperation with Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, further optimized the animal cloning process, and provided technical support for large-scale and high-standard production of high-quality pigs.

IEEE TASE is sponsored by IEEE RAS and is an internationally recognized authoritative journal in the field of intelligent control.

Since its establishment in 2004, IEEE TASE best paper award has been 16 years old, aiming to award outstanding research papers in the field of intelligent control. The award was chosen strictly and two vacancies were held in 16 years due to the lack of qualified candidates.

Paper Link: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9088287

(Reported by Wu Junhui, Translated by Liu Yaowei)