Burrington Logan R, Baryal Emran, Hui Katherine, Lambert Emmett, Harding Sarah T, Oza Javin P
Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, College of Science and Math, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93407, USA.
Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93407, USA.
Synth Syst Biotechnol. 2021 Apr 23;6(2):95-101. doi: 10.1016/j.synbio.2021.04.003. eCollection 2021 Jun.
Fluorescent reporters have revolutionized modern applications in the fields of molecular and synthetic biology, enabling applications ranging from education to point-of-care diagnostics. Past advancements in these fields have primarily focused on improving reaction conditions, the development of new applications, and the broad dissemination of these technologies. However, field and classroom-based applications have remained limited in part due to the nature of fluorescent signal detection, which often requires the use of costly lab equipment to observe and quantify fluorescence readouts. Users without access to laboratory equipment rely on qualitative assessments of fluorescence, a process that remains highly variable from user-to-user even within the same classroom. To overcome this challenge, we have developed a foldable illuminator and incubator device to support field-applications of synthetic biology-based biosensors for education and diagnostics. The Fold-Illuminator is an affordable, portable, and recyclable device that allows for the visible detection of fluorescent biomolecules. The Fold-Illuminator's design allows for assembly in under 10 min, a user can then utilize the optional heating element to incubate biochemical reactions and visualize fluorescence outputs in a defined and light-controlled environment. Interchangeable LED strips and light-filtering screens provide modularity to pair with the fluorescence wavelengths of interest. The user can then unfold the device for convenient storage, transport, or even recycling. The cost for the Fold-Illuminator is $5.58 USD and is compatible with an optional heating element for an additional $3.98 cost, with potential for further reductions in cost for larger quantities. Open-source templates for cutting device parts from paper stock are provided for both printing and cutting by hand; cutting can also be achieved with consumer-grade smart cutting machines such as the Cricut®. Combined with the broad applications of fluorescent reporters, the Fold-Illuminator has the potential to improve access to fluorescence visualization and quantification for new users as well as emerging field applications.
荧光报告分子彻底改变了分子生物学和合成生物学领域的现代应用，使从教育到即时诊断等各种应用成为可能。这些领域过去的进展主要集中在改善反应条件、开发新应用以及广泛传播这些技术。然而，基于现场和课堂的应用仍然有限，部分原因是荧光信号检测的性质，这通常需要使用昂贵的实验室设备来观察和量化荧光读数。无法使用实验室设备的用户依赖于对荧光的定性评估，即使在同一课堂内，这个过程在用户之间也存在很大差异。为了克服这一挑战，我们开发了一种可折叠的照明器和培养箱设备，以支持基于合成生物学的生物传感器在教育和诊断领域的现场应用。折叠式照明器是一种价格实惠、便于携带且可回收的设备，能够实现对荧光生物分子的可视化检测。折叠式照明器的设计允许在10分钟内组装完成，用户随后可以利用可选的加热元件来孵育生化反应，并在一个限定且光线可控的环境中观察荧光输出。可互换的LED灯带和滤光屏提供了模块化功能，可与感兴趣的荧光波长相匹配。然后，用户可以展开该设备以便于存储、运输，甚至回收利用。折叠式照明器的成本为5.58美元，可选加热元件的额外成本为3.98美元，批量购买时成本可能会进一步降低。我们提供了用于从纸张原料切割设备部件的开源模板，既可以手工打印和切割，也可以使用如Cricut®等消费级智能切割机来完成切割。结合荧光报告分子的广泛应用，折叠式照明器有潜力改善新用户以及新兴现场应用对荧光可视化和量化的获取。
