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Picroscope: low-cost system for simultaneous longitudinal biological imaging.

Victoria T Ly1, Pierre V Baudin2, Pattawong Pansodtee2

  • 1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA. vily@ucsc.edu.

Communications Biology
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Summary

Researchers developed the Picroscope, a low-cost system for simultaneous longitudinal biological imaging using 3D-printed parts. This affordable tool enables long-term observation of cells and organisms, advancing biological research.

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Area of Science:

  • * Biological imaging
  • * Developmental biology
  • * Disease modeling

Background:

  • * Simultaneous longitudinal imaging is vital for understanding biological processes and disease.
  • * High-cost imaging systems limit accessibility for many research labs.
  • * There is a need for affordable, versatile imaging solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To introduce the Picroscope, a novel, low-cost system for simultaneous longitudinal biological imaging.
  • * To demonstrate the Picroscope's capability in various biological applications.
  • * To provide an accessible tool for long-term cellular and organismal studies.

Main Methods:

  • * Developed the Picroscope using primarily off-the-shelf and 3D-printed components.
  • * Designed for compatibility with standard 24-well cell culture plates.
  • * Incorporated remote control for automated, hands-off imaging and 3D z-stack data acquisition.

Main Results:

  • * Successfully acquired longitudinal whole organism image data for frogs, zebrafish, and planaria.
  • * Captured image data within an incubator for 2D cell monolayers and 3D mammalian tissue cultures.
  • * Demonstrated the ability to measure organismal and cellular behavior over extended periods.

Conclusions:

  • * The Picroscope offers a cost-effective solution for simultaneous longitudinal biological imaging.
  • * The system is versatile, supporting diverse applications from whole organisms to tissue cultures.
  • * Picroscope enhances accessibility to advanced imaging techniques for academic and teaching laboratories.