A micro-incubator for cell and tissue imaging. (February 2010)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Picard, Cyril; Hearnden, Vanessa; Massignani, Marzia; Achouri, Sarra; Battaglia, Giuseppe; MacNeil, Sheila; Donald, Athene
• Is Part Of: Biotechniques. Volume 48:Number 2(2010)
• Page Start: 135
• Page End: 138
• Publication Date: 2010-02
• Subjects: cell -- tissue -- mucosa -- culture -- microscopy -- polymersomes -- electrospun -- PDMS -- incubator; Biology, Experimental -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Medical technology -- Periodicals; Biology, Experimental; Medical technology; Molecular biology; Clinical Laboratory Techniques -- Periodicals; Research -- Periodicals; Medical Laboratory Science -- Periodicals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 570
• DOI: 10.2144/000113245
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0736-6205

Abstract

A low-cost micro-incubator for imaging dynamic processes in living cells and tissues has been developed. This micro-incubator provides a tunable environment that can be altered to study responses of cell monolayers for several days as well as relatively thick tissue samples and tissue-engineered epithelial tissues in experiments lasting several hours. Samples are contained in a sterile cavity closed by a gas-permeable membrane. The incubator can be positioned in any direction and used on an inverted or upright microscope. Temperature is regulated using a Peltier module controlled by a sensor positioned close to the sample, enabling compensation for any changes in temperature. Rapid changes in a sample's surrounding environment can be achieved due to the fast response of the Peltier module. These features permit monitoring of sample adaptation to induced environmental changes.