Multi-modal microscopy imaging with the OpenFlexure Delta Stage.
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Authors
Ayazi, Filip
Collins, Joel
Knapper, Joe
Stirling, Julian
Bowman, Richard
Publication Date
2022-07-18Journal Title
Opt Express
ISSN
1094-4087
Publisher
Optica Publishing Group
Type
Article
This Version
AM
Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
McDermott, S., Ayazi, F., Collins, J., Knapper, J., Stirling, J., Bowman, R., & Cicuta, P. (2022). Multi-modal microscopy imaging with the OpenFlexure Delta Stage.. Opt Express https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.450211
Abstract
Microscopes are vital pieces of equipment in much of biological research and medical diagnostics. However, access to a microscope can represent a bottleneck in research, especially in lower-income countries. 'Smart' computer controlled motorized microscopes, which can perform automated routines or acquire images in a range of modalities are even more expensive and inaccessible. Developing low-cost, open-source, smart microscopes enables more researchers to conceive and execute optimized or more complex experiments. Here we present the OpenFlexure Delta Stage, a 3D-printed microscope designed for researchers. Powered by the OpenFlexure software stack, it is capable of performing automated experiments. The design files and assembly instructions are freely available under an open licence. Its intuitive and modular design-along with detailed documentation-allows researchers to implement a variety of imaging modes with ease. The versatility of this microscope is demonstrated by imaging biological and non-biological samples (red blood cells with Plasmodium parasites and colloidal particles in brightfield, epi-fluorescence, darkfield, Rheinberg and differential phase contrast. We present the design strategy and choice of tools to develop devices accessible to researchers from lower-income countries, as well as the advantages of an open-source project in this context. This microscope, having been open-source since its conception, has already been built and tested by researchers around the world, promoting a community of expertise and an environment of reproducibility in science.
Keywords
Microscopy, Reproducibility of Results, Software
Sponsorship
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/R011443/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/R013969/1)
Identifiers
External DOI: https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.450211
This record's URL: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/338374
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