Update: Follow the link or Twitter (#miCube) for the lastest information.
Fluorescence microscopy is an extremely powerful and versatile technique contributing to many areas of the life sciences. Especially variants featuring the ability to monitor single-molecule fluorescence, however, require sophisticated instrumentation that is either very expensive when bought commercially (>> 100 kEuro) or demands extensive expertise in optics and engineering.
Here we present an open and modular hardware framework aiming for
- cost effectiveness: build your own starting at 20k Euro (~100 kEuro for state of the art capabilities)
- modularity: all parts can be accessed and replaced by the user
- simplicity: set up the microscope in a few hours without prior knowledge
- customizability: confocal or widefield/TIRF microscopy,…
- openness: part lists and drawings will be made available
- stability and throughput: minimizing drift and utilise well plate scanners
Interested? Drop me a line. We are currently working together with several academic labs to bring their ideas to life and develop the miCube concept further.
For a similar concept, please also visit http://wosmic.org/.
Hohlbein lab - Wageningen 