title: A portable low-cost long-term live-cell imaging platform for biomedical research and education.
abstract: Time-resolved visualization and analysis of slow dynamic processes in living cells has revolutionized many aspects of in vitro cellular studies. However, existing technology applied to time-resolved live-cell microscopy is often immobile, costly and requires a high level of skill to use and maintain. These factors limit its utility to field research and educational purposes. The recent availability of rapid prototyping technology makes it possible to quickly and easily engineer purpose-built alternatives to conventional research infrastructure which are low-cost and user-friendly. In this paper we describe the prototype of a fully automated low-cost, portable live-cell imaging system for time-resolved label-free visualization of dynamic processes in living cells. The device is light-weight (3.6 kg), small (22 × 22 × 22 cm) and extremely low-cost (<€1250). We demonstrate its potential for biomedical use by long-term imaging of recombinant HEK293 cells at varying culture conditions and validate its ability to generate time-resolved data of high quality allowing for analysis of time-dependent processes in living cells. While this work focuses on long-term imaging of mammalian cells, the presented technology could also be adapted for use with other biological specimen and provides a general example of rapidly prototyped low-cost biosensor technology for application in life sciences and education.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Maria P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Walzik
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Verena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vollmar
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Theresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lachnit
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dietz
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haug
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bachmann
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Moritz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fath
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Aschenbrenner
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; Erlangen Graduate School in Advanced Optical Technologies (SAOT), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Sepideh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abolpour Mofrad
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; Erlangen Graduate School in Advanced Optical Technologies (SAOT), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Friedrich
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; Erlangen Graduate School in Advanced Optical Technologies (SAOT), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany. Electronic address: daniel.gilbert@mbt.uni-erlangen.de.
authors.forename: Daniel F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Gilbert
mesh_terms: D019149:Bioreactors / Q000191:economics; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D017022:Flow Injection Analysis / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D008846:Micromanipulation / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008853:Microscopy / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008904:Miniaturization; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: 3D-desktop printing, Arduino; Label-free long-term live-cell imaging; Low-cost biosensor technology; Rapid prototyping