A modular and flexible open source cell incubator system for mobile and stationary use

IF 2 Q3 ENGINEERING, ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC

HardwareX Pub Date : 2024-09-02 DOI:10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00571

Jens Duru , Benedikt Maurer , Tobias Ruff , Katarina Vulić , Julian Hengsteler , Sophie Girardin , János Vörös , Stephan J. Ihle

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Abstract

Culturing living cells in vitro requires the maintenance of physiological conditions for extended periods of time. Here, we introduce a versatile and affordable incubation system, addressing the limitations of traditional incubation systems. Conventionally, stationary cell incubators maintain constant temperature and gas levels for in vitro cell culturing. Combining such incubators with additional lab equipment proves challenging. The presented platform offers modularity and adaptability, enabling customization to diverse experimental needs. The system includes a main unit with a user-friendly interface as well as an interchangeable incubation chamber. We present two incubation chambers targeting two completely different use cases. The first chamber, named “inkugo” facilitates the transportation of cells for up to two hours without external power and for more than a day without an external CO $_{2}$ source. The second chamber termed “inkubox” was designed to enable continuous electrophysiological recordings. Recordings from up to four neural cultures growing on high-density microelectrode arrays can be performed in parallel. The system’s unique feature lies in its separability of control and incubation components, allowing one control unit to manage various custom chambers. The design’s simplicity and the use of widely accessible components make the here proposed incubation system replicable for any laboratory. This platform fosters collaboration and experimentation in both decentralized and traditional laboratory settings, making it an invaluable addition to any cell culturing pipeline.

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模块化、灵活的开源细胞培养器系统，可移动和固定使用

体外培养活细胞需要长时间维持生理条件。在此，我们介绍一种多功能且经济实惠的培养系统，以解决传统培养系统的局限性。传统的固定式细胞培养箱可保持体外细胞培养的恒温和气体水平。将这种培养箱与其他实验室设备结合起来具有挑战性。该平台具有模块化和适应性强的特点，可根据不同的实验需求进行定制。该系统包括一个具有用户友好界面的主机和一个可互换的培养室。我们展示了两个孵育室，分别针对两种完全不同的使用情况。第一个培养室被命名为 "inkugo"，它可以在没有外部电源的情况下将细胞运输长达两小时，在没有外部二氧化碳源的情况下将细胞运输一天以上。第二个箱体名为 "inkubox"，旨在实现连续的电生理记录。最多可同时对四个生长在高密度微电极阵列上的神经培养物进行记录。该系统的独特之处在于其控制和培养组件的可分离性，允许一个控制单元管理各种定制腔室。设计的简洁性和使用广泛易得的组件，使这里提出的培养系统可以在任何实验室复制。无论是在分散实验室还是传统实验室环境中，该平台都能促进协作和实验，是任何细胞培养管道的宝贵补充。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

HardwareX Engineering-Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

CiteScore

4.10

自引率

18.20%

发文量

124

审稿时长

24 weeks

期刊介绍： HardwareX is an open access journal established to promote free and open source designing, building and customizing of scientific infrastructure (hardware). HardwareX aims to recognize researchers for the time and effort in developing scientific infrastructure while providing end-users with sufficient information to replicate and validate the advances presented. HardwareX is open to input from all scientific, technological and medical disciplines. Scientific infrastructure will be interpreted in the broadest sense. Including hardware modifications to existing infrastructure, sensors and tools that perform measurements and other functions outside of the traditional lab setting (such as wearables, air/water quality sensors, and low cost alternatives to existing tools), and the creation of wholly new tools for either standard or novel laboratory tasks. Authors are encouraged to submit hardware developments that address all aspects of science, not only the final measurement, for example, enhancements in sample preparation and handling, user safety, and quality control. The use of distributed digital manufacturing strategies (e.g. 3-D printing) is encouraged. All designs must be submitted under an open hardware license.