Our lab is excited to announce the development of Camelot, a computer-automated micro-extensometer with low-cost optical tracking, designed to measure the mechanical properties of plant tissues. This collaborative effort, led by Nicola Trozzi, offers an accessible solution for researchers seeking to understand plant growth and morphogenesis through mechanical analysis.
Camelot comprises three primary components: a force sensor with a sample attachment point, an actuator with a second attachment point, and a camera. The system is controlled by MorphoRobotX, an integrated open-source software environment for mechanical experimentation. This setup enables precise measurements of elasticity, creep, and yield stress in plant tissues.
In our study, we demonstrated Camelot’s precision by measuring stiffness in delicate plant samples, such as the etiolated hypocotyls of Arabidopsis thaliana, and detecting stiffness differences between wild-type specimens and a xyloglucan-deficient mutant. Further tests involved coupling Camelot with inverted and upright confocal microscopes to track cell junction displacement and measure anisotropic deformation of individual epidermal cells during stretching.
Camelot’s portability and suitability for high-resolution optical tracking under a microscope make it an ideal tool for researchers, particularly those in resource-limited settings or engaged in exploratory biomechanics work. By providing an affordable and versatile solution for measuring mechanical properties, Camelot addresses technical challenges previously posed by high costs and the need for specialized components.
Read more:
Camelot: a computer-automated micro-extensometer with low-cost optical tracking
Trozzi N, Wodniok W, Kelly-Bellow R, Meraviglia A, Chételat A, Adkins N, Lane B, Smith RS, Kwiatkowska D, Majda M.
BMC Biol. 2025 Apr 28;23(1):112.
The Mechanobiology Lab 