Josh Guild

<p>
 Western blue-eyed grass is a common wildflower on the west coast of the US and an expected sight when walking around in the hills of Half Moon Bay, CA. When I first saw the petals of this flower through the eyes of the Foldscope though I was surprised to find something completely unexpected. With the microscope I was able to see trichome-like structures evenly dispersed throughout the periphery of the flower petals that left me wondering what their purpose might be. I also noticed that a small number of pollen granules sit at the very ends of the pointed tips of the petals.
 <img alt="Basic RGB" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-13620 gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="13620" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1456677863","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"Basic RGB","orientation":"1"}' data-image-title="Basic RGB" data-recalc-dims="1" height="1024" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_13616/Trichomes.jpg" width="862"/>
</p>


Trichomes and pollen of western blue-eyed grass

<p style="text-align: left">
 One thing that is overlooked in our general understanding of cell biology is how dynamic everything is. During school, you are taught that cells are a tiny round blobs full of even tinier factories performing various pre-defined functions. These cells are each of a certain type and shape and combine to form greater structures that do higher-level functions, such as transmit information over long distances or contract to generate force. When I see cells I see something that is much different. They do not form single defined shapes; they are dynamic and ever changing. They grow and shrink, change shape and move around. They reach out with small arm-like protrusions. They react and respond to their environment. They even can change their identity entirely.
</p>
<p>
 We as humans are a fascinating example of all of these characteristics. The body begins as a single cell that divides to create many more of itself. As these cells divide they communicate with each other, change into other cell types, and move and organize themselves. Eventually they become a person; made up of trillions of cells categorized into over 200 types. Embryonic stem cells represent the earliest cells from which the body forms and are thus considered pluripotent, meaning that they have the potential to become any cell type in the body. Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) are similar to their human counterparts in many regards and are commonly used as model to study these characteristics.
</p>
<p>
 mESCs can be grown in the lab indefinitely. They divide about once every 16 hours and when they get too crowded, we take them and split them onto new dishes. Then, when needed, we can change their environment in ways that lead them to become other cell types, such as heart muscle or the neurons that make up the brain and spinal cord.
</p>
<p>
 Using the Foldscope, my iPhone, a small microfluidic chamber for them to grow in, and an app that allowed me to snap one image every minute or two, I was able to watch them in action.
</p>
<p>
 <strong>
  Fabrication of the microfluidic device
 </strong>
</p>
<p>
 To image with the Foldscope, I used a microfluidic device that creates a protected enclosure to put cells in and that can be mounted on the Foldscope. The sealed chamber affords space in all directions for cells to proliferate and to be bathed in their required nutrient rich media.
</p>
<p>
 The chamber is created out of a PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) polymer (10 parts pre-polymer mixed thoroughly with 1 part curing reagent) that is degassed and poured onto a micro-fabricated negative relief of the cell culture chamber (20 mm length x 16 mm width x 60 µm height with small inlet and outlet channels to allow entry of cells and media exchange). The PDMS is then solidified by baking at 80C for 2 hours, pealed off of the mold, and attached to a glass slide through a process called oxygen plasma cleaning. (The roof of this design happened to also have 200 µm diameter pillars that served as nice way to generate a rough scale bar).
</p>
<p>
 <img alt="FullSizeRender" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13706 aligncenter gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="13706" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"2.2","credit":"","camera":"iPhone 6s","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1456913082","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.15","iso":"32","shutter_speed":"0.033333333333333","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="FullSizeRender" data-recalc-dims="1" height="300" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_13705/FullSizeRender-30.jpg" width="216"/>
</p>
<p>
 <strong>
  Seeding cells in the culture chamber
 </strong>
</p>
<p>
 Cells attach to a class of proteins that together make up what is called the extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM sticks to and coats the surrounding area, and provides a structural support for the cells to grip onto. mESCs are best cultured when attach to gelatin coated surfaces. To coat the chambers I incubated overnight at 4C with a 0.2% gelatin solution.
</p>
<p>
 The next day I rinsed out the excess gelatin, and flowed in fresh culture media (composed of a complex mixture of various nutrients and growth factors). I then added 40 µL of cells to the inlet, suspended in the same media at a concentration of 4 million cells/mL, and gently tilted the device to allow gravity to guide the cells to their desired location. Next, I placed parafilm over the inlet and outlet channel openings to prevent evaporation and incubated at 37C for two hours to allow the cells to adhere to the gelatin-coated surface.
</p>
<p>
 <img alt="IMG_3910" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13713 aligncenter gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="13713" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"2.2","credit":"","camera":"iPhone 6s","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1456924397","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.15","iso":"40","shutter_speed":"0.0083333333333333","title":"","orientation":"1"}' data-image-title="IMG_3910" data-recalc-dims="1" height="300" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_13705/IMG_3910.jpg" width="208"/>
</p>
<p style="text-align: center">
 <img alt="IMG_392" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13717 gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="13717" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"2.2","credit":"","camera":"iPhone 6s","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1456960125","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.15","iso":"40","shutter_speed":"0.033333333333333","title":"","orientation":"1"}' data-image-title="IMG_392" data-recalc-dims="1" height="300" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_13705/IMG_392.jpg" width="281"/>
</p>
<p>
 After the cells attached I sealed the inlet and outlet with scotch tape, inverted the device, inserted it into the Foldscope, and was ready to image. I sealed the Foldscope with my phone attached in a sterile container and placed it in an incubator set at 37C.
</p>
<p>
 <img alt="mouse Embryonic Stem Cells" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-15492 aligncenter gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="15492" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="mouse Embryonic Stem Cells" data-recalc-dims="1" height="300" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_13705/mouse-Embryonic-Stem-Cells-1.gif" width="300"/>
</p>
<p>
 The first video was shot over an hour and 40 minutes with a photo taken every two minutes.
</p>
<div class="wp-video" style="width: 720px;">
 
 <video alt="mouse Embryonic Stem Cells" class="wp-video-shortcode gcloudimg" controls="controls" height="540" id="video-13705-1" preload="metadata" width="720">
  <source alt="embryonic-stem-cells-video-1.m4v" class="gcloudimg" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_13705/embryonic-stem-cells-video-1.m4v" type="video/mp4"/>
  <a alt="embryonic-stem-cells-video-1.m4v" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_13705/embryonic-stem-cells-video-1.m4v">
   https://microcosmos.foldscope.com/wp-content/uploads/embryonic-stem-cells-video-1.m4v
  </a>
 </video>
</div>
<p>
 The second video below was shot over 40 minutes with a photo taken every minute, and with slightly higher magnification. What is fascinating in this next video to me is watching what I thought was a single cell, just below and to the left of the center, jump apart into two cells and then come back together.
</p>
<div class="wp-video" style="width: 720px;">
 <video alt="embryonic-stem-cells-video-1.m4v" class="wp-video-shortcode gcloudimg" controls="controls" height="540" id="video-13705-2" preload="metadata" width="720">
  <source alt="embryonic-stem-cells-video-2.m4v" class="gcloudimg" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_13705/embryonic-stem-cells-video-2.m4v" type="video/mp4"/>
  <a alt="embryonic-stem-cells-video-2.m4v" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_13705/embryonic-stem-cells-video-2.m4v">
   https://microcosmos.foldscope.com/wp-content/uploads/embryonic-stem-cells-video-2.m4v
  </a>
 </video>
</div>
<p>
</p>
<p class="winnower-cite-link">
 DOI:
 <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.15200/winn.145765.50628" target="_blank">
  10.15200/winn.145765.50628
 </a>
 provided by
 <a href="https://thewinnower.com">
  The Winnower
 </a>
 , a DIY scholarly publishing platform
</p>

A simple microfluidic device and time lapse imaging of embryonic stem cells

<p>
 <a alt="img_4138.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14704/img_4138.jpg">
  <img alt="img_4138.jpg" class="gcloudimg" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14704/img_4138.jpg"/>
 </a>
 <br/>
 Today I had the opportunity to share Foldscope with professors and masters of public health students at CIES-UNAN in Managua, Nicaragua. As well as medical students from UNAN in Managua. Many thanks to everyone for joining us today and to Francisco Mayoraga and Dr. Miguel Orozco (pictured above far left and right, respectively) for organizing the workshop.
</p>
<p>
 There was so much excitement from everyone! Quickly, here are a few of my own photos and data from this afternoon:
 <br/>
 <a alt="img_4147.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14704/img_4147.jpg">
  <img alt="img_4147.jpg" class="alignnone gcloudimg" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14704/img_4147.jpg"/>
 </a>
 <a alt="img_4148.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14704/img_4148.jpg">
  <img alt="img_4148.jpg" class="gcloudimg" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14704/img_4148.jpg"/>
 </a>
 <br/>
 <a alt="img_4146.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14704/img_4146.jpg">
  <img alt="img_4146.jpg" class="gcloudimg" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14704/img_4146.jpg"/>
 </a>
 <a alt="img_4136.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14704/img_4136.jpg">
  <img alt="img_4136.jpg" class="gcloudimg" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14704/img_4136.jpg"/>
 </a>
 <br/>
 <a alt="img_4109.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14704/img_4109.jpg">
  <img alt="img_4109.jpg" class="gcloudimg" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14704/img_4109.jpg"/>
 </a>
 <a alt="img_4134.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14704/img_4134.jpg">
  <img alt="img_4134.jpg" class="gcloudimg" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14704/img_4134.jpg"/>
 </a>
 <br/>
 <a alt="img_4133.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14704/img_4133.jpg">
  <img alt="img_4133.jpg" class="gcloudimg" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14704/img_4133.jpg"/>
 </a>
 <a alt="img_4111.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14704/img_4111.jpg">
  <img alt="img_4111.jpg" class="gcloudimg" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14704/img_4111.jpg"/>
 </a>
 <br/>
 <a alt="img_4098.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14704/img_4098.jpg">
  <img alt="img_4098.jpg" class="gcloudimg" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14704/img_4098.jpg"/>
 </a>
</p>
<p>
 Next are a few images I was able to capture through the Foldscope during the workshop. I also encourage everyone there that might now be reading this to create their own account and share theirs as well. The first is a blood smear with a Wright stain, brought courtesy of the medical students. The second is of a flower petal and some beautiful segmented trichomes that we found just outside the door.
</p>
<p>
 <a alt="img_4153-1.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14704/img_4153-1.jpg">
  <img alt="img_4153-1.jpg" class="gcloudimg" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14704/img_4153-1.jpg"/>
 </a>
 <a alt="img_4118.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14704/img_4118.jpg">
  <img alt="img_4118.jpg" class="gcloudimg" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14704/img_4118.jpg"/>
 </a>
</p>
<p>
 Some of the major questions were:
</p>
<p>
 How to track where you are (such as when you need to count cells from a number of different fields of view).
</p>
<p>
 Is it possible to adapt with immersion oil?
</p>
<p>
 Is it reuseable? (of course!)
</p>
<p>
 Applications in Nicaragua:
</p>
<p>
 Many students were very excited about using this in rural areas and testing the ability of the Foldscope vs. their standard microscopes.
</p>
<p>
 One comment I thought may be interesting is the potential to use the Foldscope for testing agglutination to assess blood type compatibility and syphilis infection in the field. Any ideas of how to accomplish this?
</p>
<p>
 Tomorrow we are off to an elementary school to share microscopy with the students! Looking forward to sharing more soon.
</p>
<p>
 <a alt="img_4154.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14704/img_4154.jpg">
  <img alt="img_4154.jpg" class="alignnone size-custom gcloudimg" data-recalc-dims="1" height="1333" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14704/img_4154.jpg" title="" width="1000"/>
 </a>
</p>
<p>
 – Josh
</p>


Foldscope at CIES &#8211; Managua, Nicaragua

<p>
 Today we were excited to share microscopy and Foldscope biology with a local school in Managua, Nicaragua. With a very full class of biology students we first collected samples and then together folded Foldscopes and created slides with the students. They were great and it was amazing to see how quickly the students were able to learn how to fold and assemble the microscope!  We are hoping to see posts from them soon! In the meantime here are a few photos and videos of my own from the visit:
</p>
<p>
 <a alt="img_4161.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14738/img_4161.jpg">
  <img alt="img_4161.jpg" class="gcloudimg" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14738/img_4161.jpg"/>
 </a>
 <a alt="img_4213.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14738/img_4213.jpg">
  <img alt="img_4213.jpg" class="gcloudimg" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14738/img_4213.jpg"/>
 </a>
 <br/>
 <a alt="img_4214.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14738/img_4214.jpg">
  <img alt="img_4214.jpg" class="gcloudimg" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14738/img_4214.jpg"/>
 </a>
 <a alt="img_4170.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14738/img_4170.jpg">
  <img alt="img_4170.jpg" class="gcloudimg" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14738/img_4170.jpg"/>
 </a>
</p>
<p>
 <img alt="IMG_4008.JPG" class="aligncenter wp-image-15704 size-large gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="15704" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"2.2","credit":"","camera":"iPhone 6s","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1459352856","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.15","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"0.033333333333333","title":"","orientation":"1"}' data-image-title="IMG_4008.JPG" data-recalc-dims="1" height="750" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14738/IMG_4008.JPG.jpeg" width="1000"/>
 <br/>
 Folding folscopes!
</p>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper">
 <div class="embed-vimeo" style="text-align: center;">
  <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="563" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/161704139" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="1000">
  </iframe>
 </div>
</div>
<p>
 We first looked at red ants, here is a picture of a leg through one of the Foldscopes that we folded together:
 <br/>
 <a alt="img_4173.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14738/img_4173.jpg">
  <img alt="img_4173.jpg" class="gcloudimg" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_14738/img_4173.jpg"/>
 </a>
 <br/>
 The students thought that the microscope was very interesting and easy to fold!
</p>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper">
 <div class="embed-vimeo" style="text-align: center;">
  <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="563" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/161703551" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="1000">
  </iframe>
 </div>
</div>
<p>
 Here is Daniel, their biology teacher, who comments on the workshop. He says they are very impressed with how easy it is to fold and how well it works!
</p>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper">
 <div class="embed-vimeo" style="text-align: center;">
  <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="563" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/161703768" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="1000">
  </iframe>
 </div>
</div>
<p>
 Daniel y estudiantes, si estan leyendo esto, estamos ansiosos de ver sus descubrimientos, videos y fotos usando el foldscope en esta pagina de microcosmos!
 <br/>
 – Josh
</p>


Foldscope at instituto publico &#8211; Miguel de Cervantes

<p>
 <img alt="IMG_5532" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-28651 gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="28651" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"2.2","credit":"","camera":"iPhone 6s","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1511209663","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.15","iso":"400","shutter_speed":"0.066666666666667","title":"","orientation":"6"}' data-image-title="IMG_5532" data-recalc-dims="1" height="750" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_28650/IMG_5532.jpg" width="1000"/>
</p>
<p>
 <span style="font-size: 1.8rem">
  We noticed some white particles on our
  <em>
   Saintpaulias
  </em>
  , or African violets, and wondered what it could be — a perfect job for the Foldscope! Unfortunately…at least from the perspective of the plant we have grown from just a single leaf…it seems that there are tiny organisms colonizing the leaves of the violet. It looks like it could be a type of small aphid:
 </span>
</p>
<p>
 <img alt="IMG_5537" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-28652 gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="28652" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"2.2","credit":"","camera":"iPhone 6s","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1511210349","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.15","iso":"1600","shutter_speed":"0.066666666666667","title":"","orientation":"1"}' data-image-title="IMG_5537" data-recalc-dims="1" height="1000" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_28650/IMG_5537.jpg" width="1000"/>
</p>
<p>
 <img alt="IMG_5545" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-28655 gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="28655" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"2.2","credit":"","camera":"iPhone 6s","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1511210537","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.15","iso":"800","shutter_speed":"0.066666666666667","title":"","orientation":"1"}' data-image-title="IMG_5545" data-recalc-dims="1" height="1000" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_28650/IMG_5545-1.jpg" width="1000"/>
</p>
<p>
 <img alt="IMG_5548" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-28654 gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="28654" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"2.2","credit":"","camera":"iPhone 6s","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1511210573","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.15","iso":"800","shutter_speed":"0.066666666666667","title":"","orientation":"1"}' data-image-title="IMG_5548" data-recalc-dims="1" height="1000" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_28650/IMG_5548.jpg" width="1000"/>
</p>
<p>
</p>


Josh Guild

Earth

Posts

A simple microfluidic device and time lapse imaging of embryonic stem cells

Foldscope at CIES – Managua, Nicaragua

Foldscope at instituto publico – Miguel de Cervantes

Dust or Bugs?

Trichomes and pollen of western blue-eyed grass

A simple microfluidic device and time lapse imaging of embryonic stem cells

Foldscope at CIES – Managua, Nicaragua

Foldscope at instituto publico – Miguel de Cervantes

Dust or Bugs?

Trichomes and pollen of western blue-eyed grass

A simple microfluidic device and time lapse imaging of embryonic stem cells

Foldscope at CIES – Managua, Nicaragua

Foldscope at instituto publico – Miguel de Cervantes

Dust or Bugs?

Locations

Statistics

Type of Sample

Foldscope Lens Magnification