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Arduino-based, low-cost imaging incubator for extended live cell imaging
Vincent M Rossi1, Katherine C Davidson1, Lauren E Moore2
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Washburn University, 1700 SW College Ave, Topeka, KS 66621, USA.
Applied Optics
|September 5, 2022
Summary
Researchers built an affordable, Arduino-powered incubator for long-term live cell imaging. This device maintains stable temperature and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, ensuring cell viability during experiments and enabling real-time observation of cellular responses.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Cell Biology
- Microscopy
Background:
- Live cell imaging requires controlled environmental conditions to maintain cell viability.
- Standard incubators can be expensive and may not be optimized for integration with imaging systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a low-cost, Arduino-based imaging incubator for prolonged live cell imaging.
- To maintain physiological conditions (temperature and CO2) essential for cell survival during imaging.
Main Methods:
- Construction of an imaging incubator using typical maker-type components.
- Integration of Arduino for precise control of temperature and CO2 levels.
- Validation through 24-hour live cell imaging experiments.
Main Results:
- The constructed imaging incubator successfully maintained cell viability over a 24-hour period.
- The system demonstrated the ability to support real-time imaging of live cells under controlled conditions.
- The use of common components resulted in a significantly minimized cost.
Conclusions:
- The Arduino-based imaging incubator is a cost-effective solution for long-term live cell studies.
- The system provides a stable environment for observing cellular responses to stimuli.
- This approach facilitates advanced live cell imaging research with limited resources.
