Low-cost, modular light source for fluorescence microscopy

Fluorescence microscopy is a ubiquitous tool in biomedical research, enabling the study of cellular and tissue structures in addition to electrical and chemical signalling pathways. While commercial fluorescence microscopes exist, accessibility is hindered by the high expense of conventional light sources, such as mercury and halogen-arc lamps, and their inflexible designs whereby individual wavelengths of light must be replaced or separated from the source using expensive filters. While some low-cost solutions such as smartphone and light-emitting diode (LED) based devices have been created, many cannot be used for versatile biomedical imaging experiments due to limited functionality and restricted wavelengths offered.

We have designed a modular, cost-effective LED light source utilising simple, off-the-shelf components. Our device allows electronic switching between up to four interchangeable LED modules, including a broad-spectrum red, green and blue (RGB) LED to image a wider variety of fluorophores.