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Just like its predecessor, mesoSPIM-V5, the Benchtop mesoSPIM is a versatile facility-grade light-sheet microscope for imaging cleared tissues.
- compatibility with all clearing techniques including CLARITY, CUBIC, and iDISCO
- dual-sided axially scanned light-sheet excitation for uniform optical sectioning across entire field of view
- large field of view using new-generation sCMOS cameras (up to 30 mm sensor diagonal!)
- air objectives from 0.9x up to 20x with tested field flatness and resolution:
- Telecentric lenses: 0.9x and 1.2x
- Mitutoyo Plan Apo objectives: 2x, 5x, 7.5x, 10x, 20x
- motorized stages with long travel range (50x50x100 mm) and sub-micron precision
- resolution up to 1.5 µm in XY and 3.3 µm in Z
- open-source hardware and software, open for modifications and upgrades
- compact system dimensions: 450x450x600 mm (excluding cables and electronics).
The budget estimate is about 95k EUR for basic configuration. You can trim it down by e.g. using fewer laser lines (or upcycling some old lasers that you have), smaller range of detection objectives (buy what you really need), and upgrade it later.
The excitation optics are identical to v5, but with more compact folding and optimized scanning parameters.
The detection path uses new exchangeable long-WD air objectives (e.g. Mitutoyo Plan Apo), as opposed to an objective with variable zoom (Olympus PLAPO 1x). The new objectives offer better imaging quality (field flatness and resolution) than zoom lenses. We thoroughly tested suitable detection objectives with magnification from 0.9X up to 20X and selected those that deliver the best performance for cleared sample imaging.
To see the difference in biological context, see below the comparison of mouse CNS imaged at 5X using mesoSPIM-v5 vs Benchtop. This figure shows single field of view on Thy1-M-GPF mouse cerebellum and medulla, cleared with vDISCO (sample by Ruiyao Marika Cai, Ertürk Lab).
Open-source research microscope has its advantages and tradeoffs, depending on your values and budget. If you are willing to spend more money but obtain the imaging data as quickly as possible, without bothering about technical aspects and customization, you should consider commercial solutions. If you want to truly own your microscope, take responsibility for its troubleshooting, pride for its excellence, be able to customize it to your needs, and are technically savvy, mesoSPIM is for you. It is an investment not only in hardware, but in your lab's imaging and technical expertise, which takes some time but pays off later. This is a decision about values and mindset, not just microscope. And if you decide to go mesoSPIM, you are not alone - there is a growing community of enthusiastic owners and developers who can help you.
Definitely not. You need to be good with your hands (hex keys, screwdrivers, pliers), know how to solder a few cables (or have a friend who does), and have access to a 3D printer (there are online services available). Like to open devices and look what's inside? Open your PC tower and insert some PCIe cards, then connect BNC cables to devices. No rocket science. An access to a basic machine shop can be helpful but not strictly required. You can build your practical optics skills as you assemble and align the system. The microscope is quite tolerant to mistakes, and is hard to break.
Many open-source projects become abandoned when the founding author moves to a new academic position. We secured long-term development of mesoSPIM project thanks to the multi-year grant URPP Adaptive Brain Circuits in Development and Learning URPP AdaBD, which started in 2021. Learn more about our team. So, don't worry, we will stay around.
Check our assembly overview and parts list. Once you made your mind and have the budget, start ordering parts - depending on vendor, lead times up to 3-6 months can be expected.
The detailed assembly instructions are available through menu on the right.
Enjoy!