Multi-modal microscopy imaging with the OpenFlexure Delta Stage.

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Microscopy
• Open-source hardware

Background:

• Microscopes are essential tools in biological research and diagnostics.
• High costs and limited access to advanced microscopes hinder scientific progress, particularly in lower-income regions.
• Smart, computer-controlled microscopes offer enhanced capabilities but are often prohibitively expensive.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and present a low-cost, open-source, 3D-printed microscope (OpenFlexure Delta Stage) for researchers.
• To enable automated experiments and diverse imaging modalities through an accessible platform.
• To foster scientific collaboration and reproducibility by sharing design files and documentation openly.

Main Methods:

• Designed and 3D-printed the OpenFlexure Delta Stage microscope.
• Utilized the OpenFlexure software stack for automated control and image acquisition.
• Demonstrated versatility by imaging various biological and non-biological samples using multiple contrast techniques.

Main Results:

• The OpenFlexure Delta Stage successfully performed automated experiments and acquired images in multiple modalities.
• The microscope demonstrated versatility in imaging diverse samples, including red blood cells with Plasmodium parasites and colloidal particles.
• Imaging techniques showcased include brightfield, epi-fluorescence, darkfield, Rheinberg, and differential phase contrast.

Conclusions:

• The OpenFlexure Delta Stage provides an accessible, low-cost, and versatile microscopy solution for researchers worldwide.
• The open-source nature of the project facilitates global adoption, community development, and scientific reproducibility.
• This initiative addresses the bottleneck of microscope accessibility, empowering researchers in lower-income countries.