This paper, “A Blueprint for Cost-Efficient Localization Microscopy,” write it’s own summary better than we ever could: “In this study, we questioned every technical high-end component used in standard localization microscopes to reduce the total cost of a wide-field setup and to ensure continued single-molecule sensitivity. We demonstrate that localization microscopy with subdiffraction resolution on […]
Month: September 2018
BioBits — Synthetic Biology for K-12
This is the coolest thing about STEM education I’ve read in a while. A large team of researchers from Wyss, MIT, and Northwestern have figured out how to use freeze-dried cell parts (which in itself is a super cool technology) to create synthetic biology experiments for K-12 that can be stored on a shelf at room temperature […]
Fluid exchange with LEGOs and ImageJ: NanoJ-Fluidics
We’ve been over-covering DIY syringe pumps for awhile now, but this LEGO based solutions is a lot more than just the delightful idea to use LEGOs for syringe pumps. NanoJ-Fluidics consists of three parts, a LEGO based, multiplexable syringe pump system, a liquid exchange system to cell culture dishes, and an electronic and software control […]
liteTIRF – An Economic TIRF Microscope
We’ve covered a lot of confocal imaging systems on this blog, as those tend to be the real bank breakers, but have a look at this beautifully compact TIRF platform: the LiteTIRF. The website includes software, a thorough components list, and a neat little CAD drawing to show you how everything goes together. The components […]
An Inexpensive Replacement for Dry Ice in the Laboratory
Some of the writers on LabOnTheCheap have recently moved to UC Santa Barbara, where the Chemistry department sells us dry ice like this: That’s right, as 10 lb blocks. There aren’t any of those dry ice grinders, or any tools of any sort, around, so to get dry ice in a reasonable size, you’ve gotta […]