The project was commenced with reviewing the niche for such a technology. We have conducted a TwitterTM sentiment analysis to assess the frustration within the ARTs customer. Additionally, our interaction with the end-user (reproductive clinical practitioner) hinted us to develop a user-friendly, inexpensive, rapid, and centrifugation-free technology for quality sperm isolation. The literature and patent survey were conducted and reasons behind the slow commercialization rate for microfluidic-based technology were extracted. Lack of industry-academia interaction, material choices for prototyping, and the cost of regulatory approvals are the chief hurdles in the commercialization pathway.
An independent webpage known as “Phlagella” was created to understand the market size, customer segment, cost structure. The “Phlagella” web portal comprises four web pages where project description, ER bio-sketch, contact, and knowledge associated with artificial reproductive techniques (ARTs) and sperm navigation were shared to the layman audience. The social media platforms (Medium©, Twitter™, Facebook©), was exploited for the blogs dissemination. and written blogs’ articles were propagated through the created social profiles. Apart from the project description, five blog articles circulated for the layman audiences:
• Spermatozoa: one of the reasons for our existence
• Artificial Reproductive Techniques (ARTs): a ray of hope in treating infertility.
• Practices in sperm selection for artificial reproductive techniques: Are we doing right?
• Mechanism of sperm swimming in the female reproductive tract: what can we learn from mother nature?
• Emerging technologies in sperm selection: Can we solve ARTs frustration?
Assessing the technological void and demand from the end-user, a microfluidic device and biological protocol for quality sperm separation were developed. The chip replicates the physiology and microenvironment of the female reproductive tract and enables the centrifugation-free separation of quality sperm cells from the semen specimen. The chip convolves the passive fluid-flow methodology and comprises user-friendly biological protocols for high-throughput quality sperm cell collection. The chip characterization for the flow. The experiment was conducted with the polystyrene microparticles, and a time interval was identified for the cell separation protocols (approximately 30 minutes and upstream flow interval varies [150-20] µm/s for the mentioned duration). The temperature gradient along the fluidic channel was generated via pasting the Kapton tape. The temperature control of the Kapton tape was achieved through the coupling of JT-sensors, AD cards, and microcontrollers.
We have also developed an automated tracking tool for rapid sperm kinematic parameter extraction. The tool involves image processing of the sperm swimming where image denoising, segmentation, and object detection were executed. Further, a multi-object tracking algorithm was implemented to extract the trajectories of swimming sperm heads. Obtained trajectories from the abovementioned modules were saved in .XLSX extension. Further, the prepared programming function was executed to evaluate “Computer Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA)”. The CASA parameters including curvilinear velocity (VCL), average path velocity (VAP), progressive velocity (VSL), linearity (LIN), wobbling (WOB), progressiveness (PROG), and beat frequency (BCF). Developed module estimates mentioned motility parameters. The validation was conducted against the ImageJ CASA plugin. However, the validation was not straightforward as the CASA plugin did not provide sufficient accuracy over the input images. Hence, we conducted the ImageJ CASA plugin study with our post-processed image data. The coherency in results was obtained.
The dissemination and published results of the above-mentioned technical outcomes will be updated on the Béez Biotech webpage.
Apart from technical advancement, the positive development of MicroFSMA and the acquisition of entrepreneurial knowledge have encouraged ER to create Béez Biotech SAS. Cherry has been supportive and encouraging through the incorporation of the enterprise. The incorporation of Béez Biotech has been accomplished and SIREN and Kbis (French business incorporation certificate) and the company will be active right after the end of the MicroFSMA grant. The mission of the Béez Biotech is to translate the no-technical and technical achievements of MicroFSMA and deliver a user-friendly and inexpensive commercial solution for quality sperm cell selection.
