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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2020.03.02.973073

UC2 - A Versatile and Customizable low-cost 3D-printed Optical Open-Standard for microscopic imaging

Diederich, B.·Lachmann, R.·Carlstedt, S.·Marsikova, B.·Wang, H.·Uwurukundu, X.·Mosig, A.·Heintzmann, R.
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Abstract

With UC2 (You-See-Too) we present an inexpensive 3D-printed microscopy toolbox. The system is based on concepts of modular development, rapid-prototyping and all-time accessibility using widely available off-the-shelf optic and electronic components. We aim to democratize microscopy, reduce the reproduction crisis and enhance trust into science by making it available to everyone via an open-access public repository. Due to its versatility the aim is to boost creativity and non-conventional approaches. In this paper, we demonstrate a development cycle from basic blocks to different microscopic techniques. First, we build a bright-field system and stress-test it by observing macrophage cell differentiation, apoptosis and proliferation incubator-enclosed for seven days with automatic focussing to minimize axial drift. We prove versatility by assembling a system using the same components to a fully working fluorescence light-sheet system and acquire a 3D volume of a GFP-expressing living drosophila larvae. Finally, we sketch and demonstrate further possible setups to draw a picture on how the system can be used for reproducible prototyping in scientific research. All design files for replicating the experimental setups are provided via an open-access online repository (https://github.com/bionanoimaging/UC2-GIT) to foster widespread use.

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Diederich, B., Lachmann, R., Carlstedt, S., Marsikova, B., Wang, H., Uwurukundu, X., Mosig, A., Heintzmann, R.. 2020-03-03. UC2 - A Versatile and Customizable low-cost 3D-printed Optical Open-Standard for microscopic imaging. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.03.02.973073

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