Wicks Laura C, Cairns Gemma S, Melnyk Jacob, Bryce Scott, Duncan Rory R, Dalgarno Paul A
HW Engage, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, UK.
Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering, Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA), Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, UK.
Wellcome Open Res. 2017 Nov 6;2:107. doi: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.12841.2. eCollection 2017.
We developed a simple, cost-effective smartphone microscopy platform for use in educational and public engagement programs. We demonstrated its effectiveness, and potential for citizen science through a national imaging initiative, . The cost effectiveness of the instrument allowed for the program to deliver over 500 microscopes to more than 100 secondary schools throughout Scotland, targeting 1000's of 12-14 year olds. Through careful, quantified, selection of a high power, low-cost objective lens, our smartphone microscope has an imaging resolution of microns, with a working distance of 3 mm. It is therefore capable of imaging single cells and sub-cellular features, and retains usability for young children. The microscopes were designed in kit form and provided an interdisciplinary educational tool. By providing full lesson plans and support material, we developed a framework to explore optical design, microscope performance, engineering challenges on construction and real-world applications in life sciences, biological imaging, marine biology, art, and technology. A national online imaging competition framed with over 500 high quality images submitted of diverse content, spanning multiple disciplines. With examples of cellular and sub-cellular features clearly identifiable in some submissions, we show how young public can use these instruments for research-level imaging applications, and the potential of the instrument for citizen science programs.
我们开发了一种简单且经济高效的智能手机显微镜平台，用于教育和公众参与项目。我们通过一项全国性成像计划展示了其有效性以及在公民科学方面的潜力。该仪器的成本效益使该项目能够向苏格兰各地100多所中学提供500多台显微镜，目标受众是数以千计的12至14岁青少年。通过精心、定量地选择高倍、低成本的物镜，我们的智能手机显微镜具有微米级的成像分辨率，工作距离为3毫米。因此，它能够对单细胞和亚细胞特征进行成像，并且对幼儿来说仍易于使用。这些显微镜采用套件形式设计，并提供了一种跨学科的教育工具。通过提供完整的教案和支持材料，我们开发了一个框架，用于探索光学设计、显微镜性能、构造方面的工程挑战以及在生命科学、生物成像、海洋生物学、艺术和技术等领域的实际应用。一场全国性的在线成像竞赛收到了500多幅高质量的参赛图像，内容多样，涵盖多个学科。在一些参赛作品中可以清晰地识别出细胞和亚细胞特征的示例，我们展示了公众如何使用这些仪器进行研究级别的成像应用，以及该仪器在公民科学项目中的潜力。
