Nanoscience Center, Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.
PLoS One. 2024 May 21;19(5):e0287088. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287088. eCollection 2024.
A variety of costly research-grade imaging devices are available for the detection of spectroscopic features. Here we present an affordable, open-source and versatile device, suitable for a range of applications. We provide the files to print the imaging chamber with commonly available 3D printers and instructions to assemble it with easily available hardware. The imager is suitable for rapid sample screening in research, as well as for educational purposes. We provide details and results for an already proven set-up which suits the needs of a research group and students interested in UV-induced near-infrared fluorescence detection of microbial colonies grown on Petri dishes. The fluorescence signal confirms the presence of bacteriochlorophyll a in aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria (AAPB). The imager allows for the rapid detection and subsequent isolation of AAPB colonies on Petri dishes with diverse environmental samples. To this date, 15 devices have been build and more than 7000 Petri dishes have been analyzed for AAPB, leading to over 1000 new AAPB isolates. Parts can be modified depending on needs and budget. The latest version with automated switches and double band pass filters costs around 350€ in materials and resolves bacterial colonies with diameters of 0.5 mm and larger. The low cost and modular build allow for the integration in high school classes to educate students on light properties, fluorescence and microbiology. Computer-aided design of 3D-printed parts and programming of the employed Raspberry Pi computer could be incorporated in computer sciences classes. Students have been also inspired to do agar art with microbes. The device is currently used in seven different high schools in Finland. Additionally, a science education network of Finnish universities has incorporated it in its program for high school students. Video guides have been produced to facilitate easy operation and accessibility of the device.
有各种昂贵的研究级成像设备可用于检测光谱特征。在这里，我们介绍一种价格实惠、开源且功能多样的设备，适用于各种应用。我们提供可用于常见 3D 打印机打印成像室的文件，并提供易于获得的硬件组装说明。该成像器适用于研究中的快速样品筛选，也适用于教育目的。我们提供了已经证明适合研究小组和对在培养皿上生长的微生物菌落的 UV 诱导近红外荧光检测感兴趣的学生需求的一套设置的详细信息和结果。荧光信号证实了好氧厌氧光养细菌（AAPB）中细菌叶绿素 a 的存在。该成像器允许在培养皿上快速检测和随后分离具有不同环境样本的 AAPB 菌落。迄今为止，已经构建了 15 个设备，并且已经分析了超过 7000 个培养皿以寻找 AAPB，从而获得了超过 1000 个新的 AAPB 分离物。可以根据需要和预算修改部件。最新版本带有自动化开关和双带通滤波器，材料成本约为 350 欧元，可解析直径为 0.5 毫米及以上的细菌菌落。低成本和模块化构建允许将其集成到高中课程中，以向学生传授关于光特性、荧光和微生物学的知识。3D 打印零件的计算机辅助设计和所使用的 Raspberry Pi 计算机的编程可以纳入计算机科学课程中。学生们还受到启发，用微生物制作琼脂艺术。该设备目前在芬兰的七所不同的高中使用。此外，芬兰大学的一个科学教育网络已将其纳入其高中生计划。还制作了视频指南，以方便设备的操作和使用。
