Presented here is a protocol using a temperature-controlled microscope stage that allows a sample container to be mounted on a vertical microscope.
Samples are usually placed onto a horizontal microscope stage for microscopic observation. However, to observe the influence of gravity on a sample or study afloat behavior, it is necessary to make the microscope stage vertical. To accomplish this, a sideways inverted microscope tilted by 90° has been devised. To observe samples with this microscope, sample containers such as Petri dishes or glass slides must be secured to the stage vertically. A device that can secure sample containers in place on a vertical microscope stage has been developed and is described here. Attachment of this device to the stage allows observation of sample dynamics in the vertical plane. The ability to regulate temperature using a silicone rubber heater also permits observation of temperature-dependent sample behaviors. Furthermore, the temperature data is transferred to an internet server. Temperature settings and log monitoring can be controlled remotely from a PC or smartphone.
Optical microscopy is a technique employed to increase observable details via magnification of a sample with lenses and visible light. In optical microscopy, light is directed onto a sample, then transmitted, reflected, or fluorescent light is captured by magnifying lenses for observation. Various types of microscope are available that differ in design to accommodate different uses and observation methods. The different designs include an upright microscope, which is structured to illuminate a sample from below for observation from above, and an inverted microscope, which illuminates the sample from above for observation from below. Upright microscopes are the most common and widely used design. Inverted microscopes are often used to observe samples that cannot allow a lens close in distance from above, such as cultured cells adherent to the bottom of a container. Many research groups have reported observations in a wide range of fields using inverted microscopes1,2,3,4,5,6,7. Many additional devices have also been developed that take advantage of the features of inverted microscopes8,9,10,11,12,13.
Currently, in all conventional microscope designs, the microscope stage is horizontal and is therefore unsuitable for the observation of samples producing movement in the vertical plane, (due to gravity, buoyancy, motion, etc.). To make these observations possible, the microscope stage and light path must be rotated to vertical. The vertical stage is required to vertically mount glass slides or sample containers such as a Petri dishes to the stage. To address this, a sideways inverted microscope tilted by 90° has already been devised. However, attaching samples with tape or other adhesives does not yield the necessary long-term immobility. Described here is a device that can achieve the necessary stability. This device permits observation over time of sample movement in the vertical plane. Mounting of a silicon rubber heater has also made it possible to observe the influence of temperature variation on sample behavior. Temperature data is transferred to an internet server by Wi-Fi, and temperature settings and log monitoring can be controlled remotely from a PC or smartphone. To our knowledge, the stage attached to a sideways tilted microscope tilted by 90° has not yet been reported in previous studies.
The microscope stage is composed of three aluminum plates. The middle aluminum plate is mounted to the lower aluminum plate that attaches to the stage. The silicone rubber containing the temperature sensor is attached between the middle and upper aluminum plates. Rubber bands are used to affix the sample. Claws are attached in the left and right four points of the upper aluminum plate to secure the rubber bands. The control circuit of the temperature regulator receives a signal from the temperature sensor embedded in silicone rubber and modulates electric power by the pulse width modulation (PWM) method. The temperature can be gradually increased to 50 °C in 1 °C increments. This device is useful for applications in which vertical sample motions may be temperature-dependent.
This report provides examples of temperature effects on the floating phenomenon of diatoms. As examples of diatom observation studies, measurements of sedimentation velocity of cell clusters, motion analyses, ultrafine structure studies, etc. have been reported14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23. The specific gravity of diatoms floating in water with photosynthetic organisms is slightly higher than that of water, so they tend to sink; however, they will rise if even slight convection is occurring. To study this phenomenon, a glass slide is affixed vertically to a microscope stage, and the effects of increasing temperature on diatom vertical motion are observed.
1. Design
2. Hardware design outlines
3. Software design outline
4. System configuration
5. Design of the sideways inverted microscope
6. Method of operation
NOTE: Here, the sample used is a mixture of Bold Modified Basal Freshwater Nutrient Solution liquid culture medium, sodium metasilicate, vitamins, and sterile water. 800 μL of this sample is diluted in 10 mL of fresh water medium.
7. Measurement of surface temperature distribution of rubber heater
8. Temperature response test
Figure 2 shows the temperature distribution of the rubber heater. The surface temperature of the rubber heater was uniform at each temperature. Figure 3 shows the responsiveness of the measured temperature to set temperature changes. The orange line shows the set temperature and blue line shows the change of the sample temperature. The overshoot of the measured value to the setting change is small and the tracking is quick.
Diatom cells were observed to provide a specific example of the use of this device. The trajectory analysis of moving diatom cells is a useful approach to evaluating the motility of diatom cells. However, although a normal inverted microscope observes the sample horizontally, it is not suitable for observation of the influence of gravity or floating movement in the vertical direction.
In this experiment, the microscope stage with temperature controller was attached to an inverted microscope which had been rotated 90°. Temperature-dependent vertical motion of diatoms was successfully recorded. With this method, the locus of vertical motion of diatoms was detected as shown in Figure 4. As a result of observing with 100 individuals of diatoms, the average speed was 7.01 μm/s at room temperature and 470.1 μm/s at 40 °C. The effects of thermal convection on the vertical floating phenomenon of diatom cells were visualized by direct observation.
Figure 1: Photograph of the device fixed to the microscope stage. Appearance of the device fixed to the microscope stage. The device is fixed to the microscope stage with four screws. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 2: Temperature distribution of rubber heater. The distribution of rubber heater as measured by thermography. The heater temperature was changed stepwise from ambient temperature to 35 °C, 45 °C, 55 °C, and 65 °C. The temperature was uniformly distributed across the heater at each temperature. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 3: Responsiveness of temperature signal. This shows the response when the set temperature is raised from 30 °C to 50 °C and lowered from 50 °C to 30 °C. The set temperature was changed in increments of 5 °C. In the stable state, the measured temperature is within ± 1.5 °C of the set value. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 4: The locus of diatom movement. The vertical trajectories of diatom motion due to temperature changes have been plotted. The blue lines show trajectories of diatom cells at 25 °C for 27.06 s and at 40 °C for 0.2 s. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Supplemental Figure 1: Design drawing of aluminum plates (with dimensions). (A) The plate is 2 mm thick x 150 mm wide x 200 mm long, with a centered 101 mm diameter hole to allow insertion of the rubber heater. Each plate edge has two machined claws to which rubber bands may be attached to secure samples onto the stage. To attach this vertical stage to a microscope with 4 mm screws, 4.2 mm screw holes are drilled at four locations symmetrically surrounding the central hole. (B) The plate is 5 mm thick x 150 mm wide x 200 mm long, with a centered 130 mm diameter hole. Machine notch locations to match claw locations on forefront plate to permit attachment of sample-securing rubber bands across the stage. For attachment of the stage to a microscope, four 4.2 mm screw holes are drilled in matching locations to those in the forefront plate. (C) The plate is 4 mm thick x 150 mm wide x 200 mm long, with a centered 130 mm diameter hole. A 30 mm span is cut out of the center of the right 200 mm face of the plate, to the depth of the central hole. This purpose of the cut-out is to allow attachment of the heater connector on the right side. In the same positions as in the forefront plate, four 4.2 mm screw holes are drilled for attachment of the stage to a microscope. (D) The plate is 1.5 mm thick x 150 mm wide x 200 mm long, with a centered 30 mm diameter hole. In the same positions as in the forefront plate, four 4.2 mm screw holes are drilled for attachment of the stage to a microscope. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Supplemental Figure 2: Design drawing of aluminum plates (without dimensions). Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Supplemental Figure 3: Design drawing of aluminum pedestals. (A) To be installed on the upper side: diameter is 100 mm, thickness is 3 mm. A 30 mm diameter hole is drilled in the center and a cutout of 42 mm width x 30 mm depth is made on one side. (B) To be installed on the lower side: diameter is 100 mm, thickness is 4 mm. A 30 mm diameter hole is drilled in the center, and three 3 mm holes have been placed at 120° to each other at a distance of 25 mm from the center. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Supplemental Figure 4: Design drawing of pressed cork discs. (A) To be installed on the upper side between the silicon rubber heater and the upper aluminum pedestal: diameter is 100 mm, thickness is 2 mm. A 20 mm diameter hole is drilled in the center, and two cuts (42 mm wide x 30 mm deep, 4 mm wide x 40 mm) are made at right angles to each other in sides of the disc. (B) To be installed on the lower side between the silicon rubber heater and the lower aluminum pedestal: diameter is 100 mm, thickness is 1 mm. A 20 mm diameter hole is drilled in the center. (C) This support is 42 mm wide × 30 mm deep, and cut from the circumference of a 100 mm diameter disc. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Supplemental Figure 5: Specification of silicone rubber heater. The diameter is 100 mm and the thickness is 2.5 mm. A 20 mm diameter hole is drilled in the center. The power supply is 12 V, with 18 W load capacity. The heater consists of Nichrome wire, with a lead wire connected to the electrode. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Supplemental Figure 6: Cross-section of the microscope stage. This is a sectional view of the microscope stage. The aluminum pedestal is attached to the backside aluminum plate and the rubber heater is installed on the outermost surface. The pressed cork is installed for insulation between the rubber heater and aluminum pedestal. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Supplemental Figure 7: Details of the circuit diagram. This indicates the circuit built in the controller. The circuit diagram is divided into nine parts according to individual functions. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Supplemental Figure 8: Design drawing of plastic controller case. Dimensions are 143.9 mm length x 85.3 mm depth x 25 mm width. The temperature setting knob, operating/overheating lamp, and indicator are located on the plastic controller case. The temperature can be set while watching the indicator by turning the set knob. Pushing this knob starts the temperature controller. The measured temperature is displayed in real-time, and the heater is controlled so that it reaches and holds the set temperature. When the temperature controller is turned on, the blue LED lights up and remains lighted while the heater is in operation. When the heater overheats, the red LED comes on and the heater automatically stops. Pressing the temperature controller knob again will stop it. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Supplemental Figure 9: System configuration. The microscope stage with an incorporated controller is connected to rubber heater with a dedicated cable. Measured sample temperature signals are received, and current to the rubber heater is transmitted by the controller. Measured signals from the controller are wirelessly sent to the server via the Internet router. The server compiles measurement data for analysis and graphing. Temperature log monitoring and temperature settings can be controlled remotely via a PC or smartphone. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Supplemental Figure 10: Temperature distribution measurement by thermography. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Trajectory analysis of moving diatom cells is a useful approach to evaluating diatom motility. However, while a normal inverted microscope observes samples horizontally, it is not suitable for observations of the influence of gravity or floating movement in the vertical direction. Developed and described here is a vertical microscope stage with temperature control and attached to an inverted microscope, which has been rotated by 90°. This microscope stage with temperature control allows observation of temperature-dependent vertical motion of diatom cells.
A critical step within the protocol is the controller circuit design. A breaker circuit was implemented to ensure safety. When the sensor is disconnected from the sample or the microcontroller does not operate properly, the current to the heater is cut off by a circuit different from the microcontroller.
Since the control system adopted the PID system to control the current of the heater, a technique for finding the optimum parameter of the PID is required. Compared with the existing method, remote operation and monitoring are possible by Wi-Fi function, data collection on a server, and the temperature setting function. As the structure of the stage part attached to the microscope is complicated, simplification of this structure warrants a future study.
This equipment uses a heater to raise the temperature, but cooling is unpowered; therefore, the set temperature cannot be below room temperature. Cooling samples to temperatures lower than room temperature will require a complicated cooling device, which is under consideration for future work.
The authors have nothing to disclose.
The authors have no acknowledgements.
AC adapter 12V2A | Akizuki Denshi Tsusho Co., Ltd. | AD-D120P200 | Tokyo, Japan |
ADS1015 Substrate | Akizuki Denshi Tsusho Co., Ltd. | adafruit PRODUCT ID: 1083 | Tokyo, Japan |
Alminium Plate (Back Side Plate) | Inoval Co., Ltd. | W 150mm×L 200㎜×T 1.5mm | Gifu, Japan |
Alminium Plate (Forefront Plate) | Inoval Co., Ltd. | W 150mm×L 200㎜×T 2mm | Gifu, Japan |
Alminium Plate (Middle Lower Plate) | Inoval Co., Ltd. | W 150mm×L 200㎜×T 4mm | Gifu, Japan |
Alminium Plate (Middle Upper Plate) | Inoval Co., Ltd. | W 150mm×L 200㎜×T 5mm | Gifu, Japan |
Aluminum Pedestal (Lower Plate) | Inoval Co., Ltd. | D 100mm×T 3mm (30Φ) | Gifu, Japan |
Aluminum Pedestal (Upper Plate) | Inoval Co., Ltd. | D 100mm×T 3mm (30Φ) | Gifu, Japan |
Bold Modified Basal Freshwater Nutrient Solution | Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC | B5282-500ML | St. Louis, USA |
Controller Case | Marutsu Elec Co., Ltd. | pff-13-3-9 | Tokyo, Japan |
CPU | Akizuki Denshi Tsusho Co., Ltd. | ESP-WROOM-02D | Tokyo, Japan |
Inverted microscope | Olympus Corporation | CKX 53 | Tokyo, Japan |
Low temperature hardening epoxy resin adhesive | ThreeBond Co., Ltd. | TB2086M | Tokyo, Japan |
Multi-turn semi-fixed volume Vertical type 500 Ω | Akizuki Denshi Tsusho Co., Ltd. | 3296W-1-501LF | Tokyo, Japan |
OLED module | Akihabara Inc. | M096P4W | Tokyo, Japan |
Pressed Cork (For supporting electrode ) | Tera Co., Ltd. | W 42mm×L 30㎜ | Ishikawa, Japan |
Pressed Cork (Lower Disk) | Tera Co., Ltd. | D 100mm×T 0.5mm (20Φ) | Ishikawa, Japan |
Pressed Cork (Upper Disk) | Tera Co., Ltd. | D 100mm×T 2.5mm (20Φ) | Ishikawa, Japan |
Rotary encoder with switch with 2 color LED | Akizuki Denshi Tsusho Co., Ltd. | P-05772 | Tokyo, Japan |
Silicone rubber heater | Three High Co., Ltd. | D 100mm×T 2.5mm (20Φ) | Kanagawa, Japan |
Substrate | Seeed Technology Co., Ltd. | mh5.0 | Shenzhen, China |
Temperature sensor | Akizuki Denshi Tsusho Co., Ltd. | NXFT15XH103FA2B050 | Tokyo, Japan |
Three-terminal DC / DC regulator 3.3 V | Marutsu Elec Co., Ltd. | BR301 | Tokyo, Japan |
Universal Flexible Arm | Banggood Technology Co., Ltd. | YP-003-2 | Hong Kong, China |
USB cable USB-A – MicroUSB | Akizuki Denshi Tsusho Co., Ltd. | USB CABLE A-MICROB | Tokyo, Japan |
Video Canera | Sony Corporation | HDR-CX590 | Tokyo, Japan |