Researchers at Sweden's Uppsala University have made an ordinary microscope into a live imaging device. It even unveiled high-quality video images of cell structures, just by using a smartphone and some 3D printer parts.

Live cell imaging is an incredibly valuable tool, which enables researchers to monitor and study the cells' reactions towards different substances such as drugs or toxins. However, its importance is only equivalent to a very high price.

A researching team at Uppsala University decided to do some good, old-fashioned hacking to build their own live imaging equipment for ess than $300. They only used a smartphone, some off-the-shelf electronics, and a few customized 3D printed parts in transforming standard inverted microscopes, which are available at any campus or laboratory facility, into high-quality live cell imaging systems. It also provided high-resolution imaging of living cells and excellent cell culture conditions. This particular live imaging design was then named ATLIS (Affordable Time-Lapse Imaging and Incubation System), according to 3DPRINT.

Indeed, this hacked-together live imaging system performed brilliantly. A 12-hour long imaging session of human embryonic kidney cells was presented with no indication of cell death, further attesting that the ATLIS' environmental conditions were fully adequate. In addition, it produced high-resolution images due to the smartphone's five-megapixel camera --- comparable to those taken by specially designed microscope cameras found in expensive, commercial live cell imaging equipment. This whole architectural design was also based from one found on Thingiverse.

According to Johan Kreuger, senior lecturer at the Department of Medical Cell Biology at Uppsala University, the project they have done wasn't rocket science. The project simply showed how 3D printing can make scientists' works from around the world even better. It is also a way to give researchers, especially those who have limited funding, access to different research methods that are typically expensive.

Kreuger added that the project can be readily adapted and altered in line with the specific needs of researchers at a low cost. Clearly, it has become common for scientists to create and modify their own research equipment --- and in turn, could greatly boost scientific technology development in the future.