Inexpensive, Open Source Epifluorescence Microscopes
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Chris Stewart [1] ; John Giannini [1]
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[1] St. Olaf College
St. Olaf College
City of Northfield, Estados Unidos
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- Localización: Journal of chemical education, ISSN 0021-9584, Vol. 93, Nº 7, 2016, págs. 1310-1315
- Idioma: inglés
- Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
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Resumen
In an effort to help lower the costs of fluorescence microscopy and expand the use of this valuable technique in the classroom, teaching lab, and hopefully beyond, we provide two different open source designs for inexpensive epifluorescence microscopes. First, we explain how to 3D print the parts for a simple adapter that can be mounted onto a conventional compound light microscope with a removable head to convert it for epifluorescence and bright-field viewing. Second, we describe how to build a similar microscope using supplies that are available at most hardware stores or online. We demonstrate the capabilities of our designs using Tetrahymena thermophila cells that were stained with two common fluorophores (Rhodamine B or Acridine Orange) or tagged with a fluorescent protein. We further explain how these microscopes can be used to teach basic principles of photochemistry, biochemistry, and histochemistry, as well as cellular and molecular biology. In the spirit of making these designs open and accessible to all, we have named them “the OPN Scope”, and we include instructions on how to 3D print or build these microscopes (along with the underlying computer design files) as Supporting Information, so that others can access, use, or modify them as needed. Ultimately, we hope that these designs can provide new opportunities for expanding scientific education and research, especially in schools or regions that may lack the funding for more sophisticated scientific equipment.
