Difference between revisions of "Team:Cambridge-JIC/Design"
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<h3>Problem Statement</h3> | <h3>Problem Statement</h3> | ||
− | <p>Microscopy has had a major impact on science and society since its invention in the 1600s, revealing a previously undiscovered world and leading to an explosion in ideas | + | <p>Microscopy has had a major impact on science and society since its invention in the 1600s, revealing a previously undiscovered world and leading to an explosion in ideas on the future possibilities of such imaging systems. Despite this, more that 400 years later, microscopy is still a tool reserved for those with the means to invest. Microscopes for tens of thousands of pounds can be found in professional research labs being used for some fantastic, but generally publicly removed, work. We want this to change: making microscopy a tool accessible to anyone, no matter their occupation or what they wish to do with it.</p> |
− | <p>Microscopy has become a fundamental, quantitative measurement tool in the field of synthetic biology. Synthetic biology is another scientific area that has been poorly communicated to the public, with | + | <p>Microscopy has become a fundamental, quantitative measurement tool in the field of synthetic biology. Synthetic biology is another scientific area that has been poorly communicated to the public, with perception of the field and its applications being generally misunderstood. We aim to increase the public’s awareness of synthetic biology using a previously inaccessible research tool to highlight the importance of imaging in science. </p> |
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<h3>What are the current options?</h3> | <h3>What are the current options?</h3> | ||
<center><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/f/fa/CamJIC_applieddesign.png" style="width:100%; max-width: 800px"></center> | <center><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/f/fa/CamJIC_applieddesign.png" style="width:100%; max-width: 800px"></center> | ||
− | <center><p><i><b> | + | <center><p><i><b>Fig. 1:</b> Comparison of characteristics for several microscopes.</i></p></center> |
− | <p>In <i> | + | <p>In <i>Fig. 1:</i> each microscope has several attributes that make it well suited to its specific niche. It is well known that commercial microscopes are able to produce immensely high quality images and will always be indispensable research tools. However, it is also clear that they have several undesirable qualities, decreasing their appeal to some users. For comparison we have the low cost, light-weight and easy to use alternatives. These microscopes are created to specifically fulfil their one objective: The FoldScope (a disposable educational tool and potential diagnostic tool); the FlyPi (for fluorescence macro-imaging of Drosophila flies) and the smartphone microscope (for low resolution imaging using your phone). OpenScope is intended as a more general solution, with each user developing its different aspects to suit their current needs. In this respect, it differes greatly from conventional microscopes. </p> |
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<h3>Social Impact</h3> | <h3>Social Impact</h3> | ||
− | <p>We | + | <p>We envisage OpenScope having a significant impact in many different applications:</p> |
− | <p><b>Education:</b> Bright field microscopes can be found in most secondary | + | <p><b>Education:</b> Bright field microscopes can be found in most secondary schools and some primary schools. Fluorescence microscopes are far beyond the budget of most schools. By introducing synthetic biology to students at an early stage of education, through the use of fluorescence microscopy, it may be possible to address the communication gap between researchers and the general public. At our <a href="https://2015.igem.org/Team:Cambridge-JIC/Outreach" class="blue">Outreach Event</a> there was significant interest from teachers to have synthetic biology and the techniques that underpin it implemented in the school curriculum. OpenScope makes a possibility. It also allows for integrated learning across many STEM subjects including computer programming, microscope assembly projects and interactive homework exercises.</p> |
− | <p><b>Research:</b> Most research labs can afford a commercial fluorescence microscope, but budget constraints mean there is usually only | + | <p><b>Research:</b> Most research labs can afford a commercial fluorescence microscope, but budget constraints mean there is usually only a handful for the entire department. Usage time may have to be booked, decreasing productivity considerably. OpenScope is a tool which can be used alongside the commercial microscopes to enable researchers to quickly image new samples, or perform time-lapse imaging. OpenScopes is compact, allowing it to be placed within fume hoods or incubators. Lastly, OpenScope addresses the need for highly customisable research equipment that can be tailored to specific experiments</p> |
− | <p><b>On the move:</b> OpenScope is light weight and can be battery powered. This makes it ideal for fieldwork and travelling. It can also be controlled by remote access, allowing you to check on your samples in the lab from the comfort of your home.</p> | + | <p><b>On the move:</b> OpenScope is light-weight and can be battery powered. This makes it ideal for fieldwork and travelling. It can also be controlled by remote access, allowing you to check on your samples in the lab from the comfort of your home.</p> |
− | <p><b>Developing countries:</b> It is hoped that OpenScope will | + | <p><b>Developing countries:</b> It is hoped that OpenScope will provide access to techniques previously reserved for privileged laboratories, and represent a low-cost tool that any lab anywhere in the world can modify and make their own </p> |
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Revision as of 10:23, 18 September 2015