Versatile open-source fluorescence documentation system
Fluorescence has long been the best method for detecting bio-molecules at high sensitivity and with the possibility of easy data analysis and is routine for gel electrophoresis and much more. However, the systems for detecting the fluorophores remain expensive and thus inaccessible to many. Most com...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-09-01
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| Series: | HardwareX |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468067223000573 |
| _version_ | 1797676642019049472 |
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| author | Leonhard Bandilla |
| author_facet | Leonhard Bandilla |
| author_sort | Leonhard Bandilla |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Fluorescence has long been the best method for detecting bio-molecules at high sensitivity and with the possibility of easy data analysis and is routine for gel electrophoresis and much more. However, the systems for detecting the fluorophores remain expensive and thus inaccessible to many. Most commercial systems are often only optimized for one specific application, making reuse difficult. This paper demonstrates, characterizes and evaluates an inexpensive and versatile system for the detection of fluorophores with two wavelengths using high power LEDs. The LEDs are arranged in two banks angled downward at a tray in a way that allows for bright and uniform illumination while preventing direct reflections into the camera. The emitted light is filtered through an exchangeable filter frame and can be detected using the camera of a smartphone or similar device. By using filters both in front of the LEDs and the camera, very low background and using sufficient exposure times, very high sensitivity can be achieved. The two wavelengths of excitation light and the exchangeable filters allow for optimization for the specific fluorophore used and thus highest brightness. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T22:32:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b58329f4047f4cccbfc5eb16e34a1ff6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2468-0672 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T22:32:12Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | HardwareX |
| spelling | doaj.art-b58329f4047f4cccbfc5eb16e34a1ff62023-09-23T05:11:50ZengElsevierHardwareX2468-06722023-09-0115e00450Versatile open-source fluorescence documentation systemLeonhard Bandilla0Pfahlweg 18A, 82346 Andechs, GermanyFluorescence has long been the best method for detecting bio-molecules at high sensitivity and with the possibility of easy data analysis and is routine for gel electrophoresis and much more. However, the systems for detecting the fluorophores remain expensive and thus inaccessible to many. Most commercial systems are often only optimized for one specific application, making reuse difficult. This paper demonstrates, characterizes and evaluates an inexpensive and versatile system for the detection of fluorophores with two wavelengths using high power LEDs. The LEDs are arranged in two banks angled downward at a tray in a way that allows for bright and uniform illumination while preventing direct reflections into the camera. The emitted light is filtered through an exchangeable filter frame and can be detected using the camera of a smartphone or similar device. By using filters both in front of the LEDs and the camera, very low background and using sufficient exposure times, very high sensitivity can be achieved. The two wavelengths of excitation light and the exchangeable filters allow for optimization for the specific fluorophore used and thus highest brightness.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468067223000573Fluorescence imagingGel electrophoresisOpen hardwareMacroscopic imaging |
| spellingShingle | Leonhard Bandilla Versatile open-source fluorescence documentation system HardwareX Fluorescence imaging Gel electrophoresis Open hardware Macroscopic imaging |
| title | Versatile open-source fluorescence documentation system |
| title_full | Versatile open-source fluorescence documentation system |
| title_fullStr | Versatile open-source fluorescence documentation system |
| title_full_unstemmed | Versatile open-source fluorescence documentation system |
| title_short | Versatile open-source fluorescence documentation system |
| title_sort | versatile open source fluorescence documentation system |
| topic | Fluorescence imaging Gel electrophoresis Open hardware Macroscopic imaging |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468067223000573 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT leonhardbandilla versatileopensourcefluorescencedocumentationsystem |