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Seifert P. Adaptation of the HistoEnder, an open-source 3D printer for automated transmission electron microscopy grid staining. J Histotechnol 2024:1-5. [PMID: 39312273 DOI: 10.1080/01478885.2024.2403872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 10/16/2024]
Abstract
The HistoEnder, an inexpensive open-source 3D printer published as an automated histological slide stainer, has been adapted for conventional biological transmission electron microscopy (TEM) batch grid staining. Details are presented of the 3D printed apparatus, assembly, G-code programming, and operation on the 3D printer to post-section stains up to 20 grids through aqueous uranyl acetate, distilled water rinses, and lead stains. TEM Results are identical to manual staining with the advantages of automation using the low cost HistoEnder, apparatus, and equipment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Seifert
- Morphology Core, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear Boston, Boston, MA, USA
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Burke N, Müller G, Saggiomo V, Hassett AR, Mutterer J, Ó Súilleabháin P, Zakharov D, Healy D, Reynaud EG, Pickering M. EnderScope: a low-cost 3D printer-based scanning microscope for microplastic detection. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2024; 382:20230214. [PMID: 38826048 PMCID: PMC11448746 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2023.0214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Low-cost and scalable technologies that allow people to measure microplastics in their local environment could facilitate a greater understanding of the global problem of marine microplastic pollution. A typical way to measure marine microplastic pollution involves imaging filtered seawater samples stained with a fluorescent dye to aid in the detection of microplastics. Although traditional fluorescence microscopy allows these particles to be manually counted and detected, this is a resource- and labour-intensive task. Here, we describe a novel, low-cost microscope for automated scanning and detection of microplastics in filtered seawater samples-the EnderScope. This microscope is based on the mechanics of a low-cost 3D printer (Creality Ender 3). The hotend of the printer is replaced with an optics module, allowing for the reliable and calibrated motion system of the 3D printer to be used for automated scanning over a large area (>20 × 20 cm). The EnderScope is capable of both reflected light and fluorescence imaging. In both configurations, we aimed to make the design as simple and cost-effective as possible, for example, by using low-cost LEDs for illumination and lighting gels as emission filters. We believe this tool is a cost-effective solution for microplastic measurement. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Open, reproducible hardware for microscopy'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niamh Burke
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Gesine Müller
- Multiscale Biology, Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach Institut für Zoologie und Anthropologie, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Gottingen, Niedersachsen, Germany
| | - Vittorio Saggiomo
- Department of BioNanoTechnology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Gelderland, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jérôme Mutterer
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes, CNRS & Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France
| | | | - Daniel Zakharov
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Donal Healy
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Emmanuel G. Reynaud
- School of Biology & Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mark Pickering
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- UCD Centre for Biomedical Engineering, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Cordova DJ, Rodriguez AA, Woodward SC, Crosby CO. The Enderstruder: An accessible open-source syringe extruder compatible with Ender series 3D printers. HARDWAREX 2024; 17:e00510. [PMID: 38327675 PMCID: PMC10847170 DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Bioprinting has enabled the precise spatiotemporal deposition of cells and biomaterials, opening new avenues of research in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Although several open-source syringe extruder adaptations for bioprinters have been published and adopted by end users, only one has been specifically adapted for the Ender series, an affordable and open-source line of thermoplastic 3D printers. Here, we introduce the Enderstruder, a cost-effective extruder attachment that uses a standard 10 mL BD syringe, positions the stepper motor at the level of the gantry, enhances x-axis stability with a linear rail, and uses the originally included stepper motor, resulting in reduced cost and simplified assembly. Furthermore, we present an iterative process to fine-tune printing profiles for high-viscosity biomaterial inks. To facilitate the implementation of our work by other researchers, we provide fully editable Cura profiles for five commonly used biomaterials. Using these five materials to validate and characterize our design, we employ the Enderstruder to print established calibration patterns and complex shapes. By presenting the Enderstruder and its iterative development process, this study contributes to the growing repository of open-source bioprinting solutions, fostering greater accessibility and affordability for researchers in tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenic J. Cordova
- Department of Physics, Southwestern University, Georgetown, TX, United States
| | - Angel A. Rodriguez
- Department of Physics, Southwestern University, Georgetown, TX, United States
- Department of Mathematics, Southwestern University, Georgetown, TX, United States
| | - Sabrina C. Woodward
- Department of Physics, Southwestern University, Georgetown, TX, United States
| | - Cody O. Crosby
- Department of Physics, Southwestern University, Georgetown, TX, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
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Chagas AM, Canli T, Ziadlou D, Forlano PM, Samaddar S, Chua E, Baskerville KA, Poon K, Neuwirth LS. Using Open Neuroscience to Advance Equity in the Pedagogy and Research Infrastructure in Colleges/Universities Still Financially Impacted by COVID-19: The Emergence of a Global Resource Network Aimed at Integrating Neuroscience and Society. JOURNAL OF UNDERGRADUATE NEUROSCIENCE EDUCATION : JUNE : A PUBLICATION OF FUN, FACULTY FOR UNDERGRADUATE NEUROSCIENCE 2023; 21:E2-E7. [PMID: 37588641 PMCID: PMC10426815 DOI: 10.59390/jvic5712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Andre Maia Chagas
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, United Kingdom
- TReND in Africa, Brighton, United Kingdom
- Biomedical Science Research and Training Center, Yobe State University, Nigeria
| | - Turhan Canli
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Donya Ziadlou
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | | | | | - Elizabeth Chua
- Department of Psychology, Brooklyn College and Graduate Center, The City University of New York, Brooklyn, NY 11210, USA
| | | | - Kinning Poon
- Biological Sciences, SUNY Old Westbury
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute
| | - Lorenz S. Neuwirth
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA
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