A Modular and Affordable Time-Lapse Imaging and Incubation System Based on 3D Printed Parts, a Smartphone, and Off-The-Shelf Electronics

作者：Vera Rodrigo Hernandez; Schwan Emil; Fatsis Kavalopoulos Nikos; Kreuger Johan

来源：PLos One, 2016, 11(12): e0167583.

DOI：10.1371/journal.pone.0167583

Time-lapse imaging is a powerful tool for studying cellular dynamics and cell behavior over long periods of time to acquire detailed functional information. However, commercially available time-lapse imaging systems are expensive and this has limited a broader implementation of this technique in low-resource environments. Further, the availability of time-lapse imaging systems often present workflow bottlenecks in well-funded institutions. To address these limitations we have designed a modular and affordable time-lapse imaging and incubation system (ATLIS). The ATLIS enables the transformation of simple inverted microscopes into live cell imaging systems using custom-designed 3D-printed parts, a smartphone, and off-the-shelf electronic components. We demonstrate that the ATLIS provides stable environmental conditions to support normal cell behavior during live imaging experiments in both traditional and evaporation-sensitive microfluidic cell culture systems. Thus, the system presented here has the potential to increase the accessibility of time-lapse microscopy of living cells for the wider research community.

• 出版日期2016-12-21