Team:Aachen/Notebook/Engineering/ODF

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= OD/F Device =
= OD/F Device =
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On this page we present the technical details of our OD/F device. You can skip to specific chapters by clicking on the panels below:
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On this page we present the technical details of our OD/F Device. You can skip to specific chapters by clicking on the panels below:
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<!-- Overview -->
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  <li><a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Notebook/Engineering/ODF#dev" style="color:black">
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<a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Notebook/Engineering/ODF#dev" style="color:black">
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     <div class="team-item team-info" style="width:214px;height:214px;font-size: large;line-height:1.5em;">
       <br/><br>
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       <b>General Considerations</b>
       <b>General Considerations</b>
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     <div class="team-item team-img" style="background: url(https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/0/0f/Aachen_14-10-10_ODF_Button_ipo.png); norepeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; background-size:100%"> </div></a>
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     <div class="team-item team-img" style="background: url(https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/0/0f/Aachen_14-10-10_ODF_Button_ipo.png); norepeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; background-size:100%;width:214px;height:214px;"> </div></a>
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  <li><a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Notebook/Engineering/ODF#od" style="color:black">
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     <div class="team-item team-info" style="width:214px;height:214px;font-size: large;line-height:1.5em;">
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       <b>OD Device</b>
       <b>OD Device</b>
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     <div class="team-item team-img" style="background: url(https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/0/04/Aachen_Cuvette_button_v1_ipo.png); norepeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; background-size:100%;width:214px;height:214px;"> </div></a>
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  <li><a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Notebook/Engineering/ODF#f" style="color:black">
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<a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Notebook/Engineering/ODF#f" style="color:black">
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     <div class="team-item team-info" style="width:214px;height:214px;font-size: large;line-height:1.5em;">
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       <b>F Device</b>
       <b>F Device</b>
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     <div class="team-item team-img" style="background: url(https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/7/76/Aachen_14-10-13_Galectin-3_iNB.png); norepeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; background-size:100%"> </div></a>
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     <div class="team-item team-img" style="background: url(https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/5/55/Aachen_17-10-14_Glowing_cuvette-ipo.png); norepeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; background-size:100%;width:214px;height:214px;"> </div></a>
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  <li><a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Notebook/Engineering/ODF#diy" style="color:black">
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       <b>DIY</b>
       <b>DIY</b>
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     <div class="team-item team-img" style="background: url(https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/9/9e/Aachen_14-10-15_DIY_Cellocks_iNB.png); norepeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; background-size:100%"> </div></a>
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     <div class="team-item team-img" style="background: url(https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/9/9e/Aachen_14-10-15_DIY_Cellocks_iNB.png); norepeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; background-size:100%;width:214px;height:214px;"> </div></a>
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Building the OD/F device has been an interesting task. On the one hand, this device has been developed mainly by the IT division of our team. On the other hand, we got assistance from biologists suffering from color-blindness, yet eager to help selecting the best color filters for the LEDs.
 
{{Team:Aachen/BlockSeparator}}
{{Team:Aachen/BlockSeparator}}
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[[File:Aachen_14-10-10_ODF_Button_ipo.png|right|150px]]
= General Considerations =
= General Considerations =
<span class="anchor" id="dev"></span>
<span class="anchor" id="dev"></span>
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=== Measuring Principle ===
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Building the OD/F Device has been an interesting task. While this device has been developed mainly by the IT division of our team, we got an immense support from the biologists suffering from color-blindness, yet eager to help selecting the best color filters for the LEDs.
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The measuring principle for both optical density (OD) and fluorescence  measurement is depicted below.
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The measuring principle and guidelines for this project have already been presented in the [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/OD/F_device project] section.
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For OD measurement we shine through the sample with an LED and a fixed width. A filter blocks any other light but 600&nbsp;nm. This way, the sensor mainly senses the 600&nbsp;nm light which is needed for OD600 measurement.
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Here, details about selecting filters, code and a construction manual are presented.
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For fluorescence measurement a similar approach is chosen. The filter again is used to block the exciting light from being sensed. That way only the emitted light from the fluorescence protein is measured.
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<center>
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{{Team:Aachen/Figure|Aachen_odf_schemes.png|title=Measuring principle for OD/F device|subtitle=The left image shows the measurement approach for the optical density. The light shines through the sample with a fixed width. The right image shows the fluorescence measurement approach, exciting the fluorescence proteins from below and measuring from the side.|width=500px}}
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</center>
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The details about selecting filters, code and a construction manual follows.
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=== Cuvette Holder ===
=== Cuvette Holder ===
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The essential part of this device is the '''cuvette holder which has also been the most tricky thing to design'''. In short, we had to overcome a dilemma created by the need for an optimal height for the sensor:
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The essential part of this device is the '''cuvette holder'''. In short, we had to overcome a dilemma created by the need for an optimal height for the sensor:
* A too low sensor position bears problems with sedimentation as well as light diffraction from the bottom of the cuvette.
* A too low sensor position bears problems with sedimentation as well as light diffraction from the bottom of the cuvette.
* The sensor has to be as close as possible to the bottom so that enough light shines through for the fluorescence measurement.
* The sensor has to be as close as possible to the bottom so that enough light shines through for the fluorescence measurement.
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As a compromise, we place the sensor at a height of 0.75&nbsp;cm, which, as it turned out later, is very close to one of the standard heights (0.2&nbsp;cm, 0.8&nbsp;cm, 1.2&nbsp;cm) of OD meters. It is important to note that despite the official minimal fill height of 1.2&nbsp;mL of the 1.5&nbsp;mL cuvettes we used, our device also works with filling volumens of just 1&nbsp;mL which in fact comes closer to reality in the lab.
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As a compromise, we place the sensor at a height of 0.75&nbsp;cm. It is comparable to one of the standard heights (0.2&nbsp;cm, 0.8&nbsp;cm, 1.2&nbsp;cm) of OD meters. It is important to note that our device works with filling volumens of just 1&nbsp;mL, which in fact comes close to reality in the lab.
The final cuvette holder design is rendered from a [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Notebook/Engineering/Cuvette3D?action=raw stl-file] shown below:
The final cuvette holder design is rendered from a [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Notebook/Engineering/Cuvette3D?action=raw stl-file] shown below:
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<iframe src="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Notebook/Engineering/Cuvette3D?action=render
<iframe src="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Notebook/Engineering/Cuvette3D?action=render
" width=500px height=500px frameBorder="0"></iframe>
" width=500px height=500px frameBorder="0"></iframe>
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<br/>
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<b>Cuvette Holder developed for our OD/F Device.</b>
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=== Light Filters ===
=== Light Filters ===
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Once the cuvette holder was finished, '''finding good filters was a tough challenge'''. A main goal throughout our project has been to choose easily available parts which are also inexpensive. Thus choosing Schott glasses as filters unfortunately could not be considered. Instead, filters used for illumination of theaters seemed to be an ideal solution.
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'''Finding the right and optimal filters is a tough challenge'''.
 +
The main goal throughout our project has been to choose easily available parts which are also inexpensive. Thus choosing Schott glasses as filters could not be considered. Alternatively, filters used for illumination of theaters were found to be an ideal solution.
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Especially for the fluorescence measurements of GFP finding the right filter has been a big problem. [http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_E0040 GFPmut3b] has a peak excitation at 501&nbsp;nm and a peak emission at 511&nbsp;nm - too close together for our low-cost filters to block the excitation light but transmit the emitted light. Thus, we chose to excite at around 485&nbsp;nm reduce false positive results below 500&nbsp;nm. However, no adequate filter for these settings could be found.
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We tested serveral filters and the optimal configuration of filters used is listed below.
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Eventually, using the dark greenish [http://leefilters.com/lighting/colour-details.html#736 Twickenham Green] filter only little amounts of light shorter than 500&nbsp;nm gets through, reducing any bias from excitation illumination significantly. Unfortunately, the transmission rate of this filter is quite bad, 20&nbsp;% only, for the target emission wavelength of 511&nbsp;nm.
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For the OD measurement, too, we had similar problems. Indeed, due to our goal of inexpensive parts, we only filter light below 600&nbsp;nm. Further filters would lower the base transmittance and result in a loss of resolution which is not tolerable.
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{| class="wikitable"
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Finally the red filter [http://leefilters.com/lighting/colour-details.html#019 Fire] permits over 70&nbspr; of the light to the sensor and is thus suited for our purposes.
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! Mode
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! Fluorescence Protein
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! Filter Name
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! Filter
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! Peak Excitation
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! Peak Emission
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|-
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| Fluorescence
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| [http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_E0040 GFPmut3b]
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| [http://leefilters.com/lighting/colour-details.html#736 Twickenham Green]
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| [[File:Aachen_Filter_736.png|200px]]
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| 501nm
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| 511nm
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|-
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| Optical Density
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| --
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| [http://leefilters.com/lighting/colour-details.html#019 Fire]
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| [[File:Aachen_Filter_019.png|200px]]
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| 600nm
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| 600nm
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|}
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<html>
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The fluorescence protein [http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_E0040 GFPmut3b] has a peak excitation at 501&nbsp;nm and a peak emission at 511&nbsp;nm - too close together for our low-cost filters to block the excitation light but transmit the emitted light. Thus, we chose to excite at around 485&nbsp;nm reduce false positive results below 500&nbsp;nm. However, no adequate filter for these settings could be found.
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<sup><span class="anchor" id="fn1"></span>1. Quite a good random number generator from a computer-scientific perspective!<a href="#ref1" title="">↩</a></sup>
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Eventually, using the dark greenish [http://leefilters.com/lighting/colour-details.html#736 Twickenham Green] filter only little amounts of light shorter than 500&nbsp;nm gets through, reducing any bias from excitation illumination significantly. Unfortunately, the transmission rate of this filter is quite bad, 20% only, for the target emission wavelength of 511&nbsp;nm.
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</html>
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== Linearity ==
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== Linearity of the Hardware Light Sensor ==
<span class="anchor" id="lin"></span>
<span class="anchor" id="lin"></span>
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As for any scientifc device it is crucial to question the results one gets from the device. To ensure that our device actually works, we performed a set of measurements which are presented below.
 
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It is crucial that the selected hardware is mapping reality into the digital world of our $\mu$-Controller.
It is crucial that the selected hardware is mapping reality into the digital world of our $\mu$-Controller.
In order to sense reality our setup uses a light to frequency sensor, [https://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Sensors/Imaging/TSL235R-LF.pdf TSL235R-LF].
In order to sense reality our setup uses a light to frequency sensor, [https://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Sensors/Imaging/TSL235R-LF.pdf TSL235R-LF].
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Using a dilution series of purified [https://2011.igem.org/Team:Glasgow/LOV2 iLOV] we could determine the characteristic curve for the light sensor. Finally we can conclude that the sensor is linear as expected and shown in the [https://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Sensors/Imaging/TSL235R-LF.pdf datasheet].
Using a dilution series of purified [https://2011.igem.org/Team:Glasgow/LOV2 iLOV] we could determine the characteristic curve for the light sensor. Finally we can conclude that the sensor is linear as expected and shown in the [https://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Sensors/Imaging/TSL235R-LF.pdf datasheet].
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<center>
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{{Team:Aachen/Figure|align=center|Aachen 15-10-14 Linearity iFG.PNG|title=Linearity of TSL235R-LF sensor|subtitle=Dilution series of GFP expressing ''E. coli'' showing linearity  between fluorescence count and dilution. The linearity of the chosen sensor can be determined.|width=700px}}
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{{Team:Aachen/Figure|align=center|Aachen 15-10-14 Linearity iFG.PNG|title=Linearity of TSL235R-LF sensor|subtitle=Dilution series of GFP expressing E. coli showing linearity  between fluorescence count and dilution.|width=700px}}
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{{Team:Aachen/BlockSeparator}}
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= OD Device =
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<span class="anchor" id="od"></span>
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We are measuring optical density using the presented cuvette holder.
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We are measuring optical density using our in-house developed cuvette holder.
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Particularly for optical density measurement the amount of light shining through the sample is crucial.
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Particularly for optical density measurement, the amount of light shining through the sample is crucial.
If there is too few light, there will be not enough light registered at the sensor, and the resolution of the measurement shrinks. This should be prevented.
If there is too few light, there will be not enough light registered at the sensor, and the resolution of the measurement shrinks. This should be prevented.
The chosen light to frequency sensor is reported to be very sensitive on the amount of light shining on it.
The chosen light to frequency sensor is reported to be very sensitive on the amount of light shining on it.
There are reports of the sensor breaking when put into [https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9768 sunlight on a nice day], and not being sensitive at both high light or low light [http://kesslerarduino.wordpress.com/author/kevinmkessler/page/2/ conditions].
There are reports of the sensor breaking when put into [https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9768 sunlight on a nice day], and not being sensitive at both high light or low light [http://kesslerarduino.wordpress.com/author/kevinmkessler/page/2/ conditions].
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Commercial systems usually use a laser beam to shine through the sample. For reasons of available components, we omitted this in our plans. Finding a suitable orange laser is not easy.
 
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Instead we chose an LED, which unfortunately scatters light, both in the spectrum as well as in all directions.
 
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Using a filter we reduce the effect of scattering.
 
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Finally the [http://leefilters.com/lighting/colour-details.html#019 Fire 019] filters solves our problems, but is far away from ideal.
 
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== Evaluation ==
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{{Team:Aachen/BlockSeparator}}
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[[File:Aachen_Cuvette_button_v1_ipo.png|right|150px]]
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= Evaluation of the Optical Density Measurement =
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<span class="anchor" id="od"></span>
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=== From Transmittance to True Optical Density ===
=== From Transmittance to True Optical Density ===
At very low levels, uncorrected photometric determinations of cell densities show a decreasing proportionaility to actual cell density.
At very low levels, uncorrected photometric determinations of cell densities show a decreasing proportionaility to actual cell density.
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This can also be observed using our OD measurement device.
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This can also be observed using our device.
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In general, photometric determination of bacterial concentrations depends primarily on light scattering, rather than light absorption. Therefore. often not absorption is measured, but transmittance. For this, the relationship between optical density (OD) and transmitted light $\frac{I_0}{I}$ exists as:
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In general, photometric determination of bacterial concentrations depends primarily on light scattering, rather than light absorption. Therefore, often not absorption is measured, but transmittance. For this, the relationship between optical density (OD) and transmitted light $\frac{I_0}{I}$ exists as:
$$ OD = \frac{I_0}{I} = \kappa \cdot c$$
$$ OD = \frac{I_0}{I} = \kappa \cdot c$$
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where $I_0$ is the intensity of incoming light and $I$ the amount of the light passing through.
However, this equation is linear only in a certain range.
However, this equation is linear only in a certain range.
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For our OD device we needed to correlate the transmittance measured by our sensor to an optical density anyway.
For our OD device we needed to correlate the transmittance measured by our sensor to an optical density anyway.
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Our team members from the deterministic sciences emphasized on the correction method, which was conducted according to Lawrence and Maier [1]:
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Our team members from the deterministic sciences emphasized on the correction method, which was conducted according to Lawrence and Maier (2006):
* The relative density ($RD$) of each sample in a dilution series is calculated using $\frac{min(dilution)}{dilution}$.
* The relative density ($RD$) of each sample in a dilution series is calculated using $\frac{min(dilution)}{dilution}$.
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The derived function allows the conversion from transmission to optical density on our device and therefore calibrates our device.
The derived function allows the conversion from transmission to optical density on our device and therefore calibrates our device.
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Lawrence and Maier could show that correcting transmittance this way, the corrected optical density shows a linear relationship between true optical density and dry weight in cell suspensions.
 
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In our experiments, we find in accordance to [1] that the correction majorly depends on the technical equipment used, especially the LED, sensor and cuvettes.
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In our experiments, we find in accordance to Lawrence and Maier that the correction majorly depends on the technical equipment used, especially the LED, sensor and cuvettes.
While this at first sight looks disappointing, it is also expected:
While this at first sight looks disappointing, it is also expected:
Transmittance is the fraction of light not absorbed by some medium relative to the cell-free and clear medium.
Transmittance is the fraction of light not absorbed by some medium relative to the cell-free and clear medium.
However, the transmittance is not only dependent on the amount of cells in the way of the light's beam, but also how much light shines through the cuvette in which fashion, and in which fraction is received by the sensor in which angles.
However, the transmittance is not only dependent on the amount of cells in the way of the light's beam, but also how much light shines through the cuvette in which fashion, and in which fraction is received by the sensor in which angles.
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Using the above formula we performed this experiment for Pseudomonas putida and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
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Using the above formula we performed this experiment for ''Pseudomonas putida'' and ''Saccharomyces cerevisiae'' and asked team [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Collaborations/Freiburg Freiburg] to perform the same experiment using mamallian cells.
=== Experiments ===
=== Experiments ===
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We performed several experiments during the development of the OD/F device.
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We performed several experiments during the development of the device.
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Finally we can relate the measured transmittance to the true Optical Density, and further, we can relate that true OD to the one of the photospectrometer in our lab.
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Finally, we can relate the measured transmittance to the true Optical Density (true OD), and further, we can relate the true OD to the true OD of the photospectrometer in our lab.
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By doing to we can calibrate our device to meaningful values.
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By doing so, we can calibrate our device to meaningful values.
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We have done this according to the previous section for Pseudomonas putida and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
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We have done this according to the previous section for ''Pseudomonas putida'' and ''Saccharomyces cerevisiae''.
The final function for calculating the OD from the transmission calculated by our device can be calculated as
The final function for calculating the OD from the transmission calculated by our device can be calculated as
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$$ OD = f(T) \circ g(device) $$
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$$ OD(T) = f(T) \circ g(device) $$
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where $f$ transforms transforms transmittance to true optical density for our device, and $g$ transforms true optical density of our device into the true optical density of the photospectrometer. This way our device is calibrated according to the photospectrometer.
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where $f$ transforms transforms transmittance $T$ to true optical density for our device, and $g$ transforms true optical density of our device into the true optical density of the photospectrometer. This way our device is calibrated according to the photospectrometer.
==== ''Pseudomonas putida'' ====
==== ''Pseudomonas putida'' ====
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<center>
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{{Team:Aachen/Figure|align=center|Aachen 15-10-14 Pputida iFG.PNG|title=True Optical Density to Transmittance plot for P. putida|subtitle=|width=700px}}
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{{Team:Aachen/Figure|align=center|Aachen 15-10-14 Pputida iFG.PNG|title=True Optical Density to Transmittance plot for ''P. putida''|subtitle=|width=700px}}
</center>
</center>
<center>
<center>
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{{Team:Aachen/Figure|align=center|Aachen 15-10-14 Pputida OD iFG.PNG|title=Corrolating the true optical density of the OD/F device to true optical density of the photospectrometer|subtitle=|width=700px}}
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{{Team:Aachen/Figure|align=center|Aachen 15-10-14 Pputida OD iFG.PNG|title=Corrolating the true optical density of the OD/F Device to true optical density of the photospectrometer for ''P. putida''|subtitle=|width=700px}}
</center>
</center>
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<center>
<center>
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{{Team:Aachen/Figure|align=center|Aachen 15-10-14 Scer iFG.PNG|title=True Optical Density to Transmittance plot for S. cerivisiae|subtitle=|width=700px}}
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{{Team:Aachen/Figure|align=center|Aachen 15-10-14 Scer iFG.PNG|title=True Optical Density to Transmittance plot for ''S. cerivisiae''|subtitle=|width=700px}}
</center>
</center>
<center>
<center>
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{{Team:Aachen/Figure|align=center|Aachen 15-10-14 Scer OD iFG.PNG|title=Corrolating the true optical density of the OD/F device to true optical density of the photospectrometer|subtitle=|width=700px}}
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{{Team:Aachen/Figure|align=center|Aachen 15-10-14 Scer OD iFG.PNG|title=Corrolating the true optical density of the OD/F Device to true optical density of the photospectrometer for ''S. cerivisiae''|subtitle=|width=700px}}
</center>
</center>
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From these plots it can first be seen that our device delivers robust and reproducible results for both procaryotes and eucaryotes.
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From these plots, it can be seen that our device delivers robust and reproducible results for both procaryotes and eucaryotes.
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Also the function from transmittance to true od can be expressed as a lower polynomial function, making its calculation easily possible on a low-end device like a microcontroller.
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Also the function from transmittance to true OD follows a clear pattern, making its calculation possible on a low-end device like a microcontroller.
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Most encouraging is that the function for relating the true OD of our device to the photospectrometer is, as seen by the regression coefficient, close together for both ''P. putida'' and ''S. cerivisae''. In fact, 3.416 and 3.461 are such close together, that the minor deviation could be just measuring inaccuracy.
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It is interesting to observer that function $g$, mapping the true OD of our device to the true OD of the photospectrometer, are close together for both ''P. putida'' and ''S. cerivisae'', as seen by the regression coefficient.
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Therefore we fix the regression coefficient for converting true OD of our device to true OD of the photospectrometer to 3.432 .
+
In fact, 3.416 and 3.461 are such close together, that the minor deviation could be just measuring inaccuracy.
 +
Therefore, we fix the regression coefficient for converting true OD of our device to true OD of the photospectrometer to an average of 3.432 .
-
It is interesting to note, that also the function $f$ for the conversion of transmittance to true optical density fit nicely together, as can be seen in the following figure.
+
Additionally, the function $f$ for mapping transmittance to true OD for our device is similar for all cell types, as seen in the following figure. Therefore the exponential regression curve for all cell types specifies this function.
<center>
<center>
-
{{Team:Aachen/Figure|align=center|Aachen 15-10-14 Pp Sc combined iFG.PNG|title=Combined plot of Transmittance to true Optical Density for P putida and S. cerivisiae|subtitle=|width=700px}}
+
{{Team:Aachen/Figure|Aachen_ODallstrains1.png|title=Transmission of different cell types at OD-values from 0.001-1|subtitle=The transmittance data of NIH&nbsp;3T3 cells (mouse fibroblasts) align with the transmittance of ''P.&nbsp;putida'' and ''S.&nbsp;cerevisiae'' strains, even though the measured optical densities are lower by 1-2 orders of magnitude.|width=800px}}
</center>
</center>
 +
Finally, we have empirically determined our $OD(T)$ function by finding $f$ and $g$, such that we can convert true OD to the optical density of the photospectrometer.
 +
 +
By this evaluation, we have shown that our self-build OD/F Device can compete with commercial systems.
 +
It is easy to calibrate by just calculating the true optical density.
-
By this evaluation we have shown that our self-build optical density measurement device can compete with commercial systems, and moreover, is easy to calibrate by just calculating the true optical density.
 
-
Therefore we present a device which measures accurately and is made of easily available parts at a low cost.
 
{{Team:Aachen/BlockSeparator}}
{{Team:Aachen/BlockSeparator}}
-
= F device =
+
[[File:Aachen_17-10-14_Glowing_cuvette-ipo.png|right|150px]]
 +
 
 +
= Evaluation of the Fluorescence Measurement =
<span class="anchor" id="f"></span>
<span class="anchor" id="f"></span>
-
Similarly to the OD measurement, the fluorescence is measured using the same cuvette holder. In fact, if one does not build a combined device, the only thing one is supposed to change is the cuvette holder.
+
For the evaluation of the fluorescence measurement, we performed a dilution series of a constitutively GFPmut3b expressing ''E. coli''.
-
However, as for optical density measurement, a filter needs to be placed between led, sample and the light sensor.
+
-
Selecting the filter has been troublesome.
+
-
Either the tried filters had a good transmittance but did not screen for the correct wavelength, or they screened for the correct wavelength but showed bad transmittance.
+
-
Finally we chose the [ Twickenham green] filter with bad transmittance, and raised the sampling interval from 1&nbsp;s to 4&nbsp;s to allow a distinct signal.
+
-
This is by far not optimal, but delivers stable and reliable results.
+
-
For fluorescence measurement we luckily are not that much relying on the optical density of the cell culture to measure (if the sample contains cells at all).
+
The below figure shows the absolute measurements for both the platereader and our OD/F Device. The abrupt jump at 50% concentration can be explained by a second dilution step and is prevalent in both devices.
-
We compared the values of our device against the [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Notebook/LabEquipment platereader].
+
-
 
+
-
== Evaluation ==
+
-
Figure 1 shows the absolute measurements for both the platereader and our OD/F device. The abrupt jump at 50% concentration can be explained by a second dilution step and is prevalent in both devices.
+
It can be seen that the platereader show a much higher difference between the GFP and non-GFP cell culture at a higher standard deviation.
It can be seen that the platereader show a much higher difference between the GFP and non-GFP cell culture at a higher standard deviation.
Another interesting metric is the difference between the GFP and non-GFP, which can be seen as the normalized fluorescence measure.
Another interesting metric is the difference between the GFP and non-GFP, which can be seen as the normalized fluorescence measure.
<center>
<center>
-
{{Team:Aachen/Figure|align=center|Aachn 15-10-14 F platereader ODF iFG.PNG|title=Fluorescence Measurement comparison OD/F device and Platereader|subtitle=Comparison of a fluorescence measurement of our device and the platereader. Our OD/F device shows no significant.|width=700px}}
+
{{Team:Aachen/Figure|align=center|Aachn 15-10-14 F platereader ODF iFG.PNG|title=Fluorescence Measurement comparison OD/F Device and Platereader (absolute values)|subtitle=Comparison of a fluorescence measurement of our device and the platereader. Our OD/F Device shows no significant linearity.|width=700px}}
</center>
</center>
-
If one compares the results there, as in Figure 2, interesting observations can be made.
+
If one compares the results there, as in the below figure with normalized fluorescence values, interesting observations can be made.
-
First, both platereader and OD/F device show very similar results.
+
First, both platereader and OD/F Device show very similar results.
The regression curves differ only in a linear factor.
The regression curves differ only in a linear factor.
-
Most interestingly the general fit of the OD/F device to a linear function seems to be better than the platereader.
+
Most interestingly the general fit of the OD/F Device to a linear function seems to be better than the platereader.
Overall the linearity which has been observed earlier (in testing the general setup) could be verified.
Overall the linearity which has been observed earlier (in testing the general setup) could be verified.
-
Therefore our do-it-yourself OD/F device can be used to determine fluorescence.
+
Therefore our do-it-yourself OD/F Device can be used to determine fluorescence.
-
At higher concentrations our OD/F device struggles regarding accuracy. However, this is also true for the platereader, but at a lower rate.
+
-
 
+
<center>
<center>
-
{{Team:Aachen/Figure|align=center|Aachen 15-10-14 F platereader ODF2 iFG.PNG|title=Fluorescence Measurement comparison OD/F device and Platereader|subtitle=Comparison of a fluorescence measurement of our device and the platereader. Our OD/F device shows no significant. A non-GFP expressing E. coli dilution has been used to normalize the GFP dilution series. A linear correlation can be seen.|width=700px}}
+
{{Team:Aachen/Figure|align=center|Aachen 15-10-14 F platereader ODF2 iFG.PNG|title=Fluorescence Measurement comparison OD/F Device and platereader using normalized fluorescence values|subtitle=Comparison of a fluorescence measurement of our device and the platereader. Our OD/F Device shows no significant. A non-GFP expressing ''E. coli'' dilution has been used to normalize the GFP dilution series. A linear correlation can be seen.|width=700px}}
</center>
</center>
 +
{{Team:Aachen/BlockSeparator}}
{{Team:Aachen/BlockSeparator}}
Line 259: Line 258:
== Technical Components ==
== Technical Components ==
-
While the casing and the cuvette holder are custom made, most of the parts are pre-made and only need to be bought. The previous section lists all needed parts. To get all these parts for creating your own OD/F device is easy by using the internet. A lot of companies all over the world are specialized in selling electronically equipment not only in the internet but also in local shops. However '''potential customers have a market access''' connected to the parts of building.  
+
While the casing and the cuvette holder are custom made, most of the parts are pre-made and can be readily bought. The previous section lists all needed parts.
 +
To get all these parts for creating your own OD/F Device is easy using the internet. Thus all '''potential customers have a market access''' to the used components.  
-
Please find our custom parts for download below. Despite being custom parts, these are quite inenxpensive - so feel free to give our OD/F device a test :) ! <span class="anchor" id="ref2"></span>
+
Please find our custom parts for download below. Despite being custom parts, these are quite inenxpensive - so feel free to give our OD/F Device a test! For printing the 3D model of our cuvette holder and laser cutting our case, we want to express many thanks to [http://hci.rwth-aachen.de/fablab Fablab Aachen].<span class="anchor" id="ref2"></span>
* cuvette holder [https://2014.igem.org/Template:Team:Aachen/cuvette.stl?action=raw STL file]
* cuvette holder [https://2014.igem.org/Template:Team:Aachen/cuvette.stl?action=raw STL file]
-
* casing single device [ SVG file]
+
* casing single device [https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/b/bb/Aachen_ODF_device_casing.svg.zip SVG file]
-
* casing combined device [ SVG file]
+
* lid combined device [https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/4/46/Aachen_Odf_device_combined_lid.svg.zip SVG file]
-
* Arduino Code for single device [https://2014.igem.org/Template:Team:Aachen/arduino_single.ino?action=raw Sketchbook (.ino)]
+
* Arduino Code for single device [https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/2/2f/Arduino_od_f_single.zip Sketchbook (.ino)]
-
* Arduino Code for combined device [https://2014.igem.org/Template:Team:Aachen/arduino_combined.ino?action=raw Sketchbook (.ino)]
+
* Arduino Code for combined device [https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/e/e8/Arduino_odf_combined.zip Sketchbook (.ino)]
You will need a special [http://www.exp-tech.de/images/product_images/description%20images/YWRobot/1602/LiquidCrystal_I2C1602V2.rar library] for the display, which can not be uploaded for legal reasons.
You will need a special [http://www.exp-tech.de/images/product_images/description%20images/YWRobot/1602/LiquidCrystal_I2C1602V2.rar library] for the display, which can not be uploaded for legal reasons.
-
'''Table 2''': Needed number of pieces, components and prices for creating your own OD or F device
+
<center>
 +
'''All needed components their quantities and prices for creating your own OD/F Device'''
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
-
! align="center"  |'''OD/F device'''
+
! align="center"  |'''OD/F Device'''
!! align="center" |  
!! align="center" |  
!! align="center" |''' 1€='''
!! align="center" |''' 1€='''
Line 281: Line 282:
!! align="center" |  
!! align="center" |  
|-
|-
-
! Quantity!!Component!! Costs € !! Costs $ !! Final € !! Final $  
+
! Quantity!!Component!! Costs [] !! Costs [$] !! Final [] !! Final [$]
|-
|-
-
| 1||[http://www.dx.com/p/uno-r3-development-board-microcontroller-mega328p-atmega16u2-compat-for-arduino-blue-black-215600#.VDzwV9ysWBp Arduino UNO R3]|| -  € || $11.65 || 9.17 || $11.65  
+
| 1||[http://www.dx.com/p/uno-r3-development-board-microcontroller-mega328p-atmega16u2-compat-for-arduino-blue-black-215600#.VDzwV9ysWBp Arduino UNO R3]||9.17||11.65||9.17||11.65  
|-
|-
-
| 1||[http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/ams/TSL235R-LF/%3Fqs%3D14HO7rLZPQsjmBHaoYCzkA%253D%253D&sa=U&ei=3fA8VN3sN8T0OuLPgLAJ&ved=0CCUQ2yk&sig2=WOchotQO4XDym0jpXDjtzw&usg=AFQjCNGNr9DthURC_BKhgthh8EuJhjqutg TSL 235R]|| -  € || $3.14 || 2.47 || $3.14  
+
| 1||[http://www.mouser.de/ProductDetail/ams/TSL235R-LF/?qs=14HO7rLZPQsjmBHaoYCzkA%3D%3D TSL 235R]||2.47||3.14||2.47||3.14  
|-
|-
-
| 1||[http://www.dx.com/p/16-x-2-character-lcd-display-module-with-blue-backlight-121356#.VDzxHNysWBp Display 16x2]|| -  € || $3.28 || 2.58 || $3.28  
+
| 1||[http://www.dx.com/p/16-x-2-character-lcd-display-module-with-blue-backlight-121356 Display 16x2]||2.58||3.28||2.58||3.28  
|-
|-
-
| 1||[http://www.dx.com/p/lcd1602-adapter-board-w-iic-i2c-interface-black-works-with-official-arduino-boards-216865#.VDzxHNysWBp LCD Display to I2C]|| -  € || $1.99 || 1.57 || $1.99  
+
| 1||[http://www.dx.com/p/lcd1602-adapter-board-w-iic-i2c-interface-black-works-with-official-arduino-boards-216865#.VDzxHNysWBp LCD Display to I2C]||1.57||1.99||1.57||1.99  
|-
|-
-
| 1||[http://www.newark.com/multicomp/mcpas6b1m1ce3/switch-pushbutton-spst-400ma-125v/dp/12P7696?ost=1638329 Pushbutton]|| -  € || $3.69 || 2.90 || $3.69  
+
| 1||[http://www.newark.com/multicomp/mcpas6b1m1ce3/switch-pushbutton-spst-400ma-125v/dp/12P7696?ost=1638329 Pushbutton]||2.90||3.69||2.90||3.69  
|-
|-
-
| 1||[http://shop.leefiltersusa.com/Swatch-Book-Designers-Edition-SWB.htm filter leaflet]|| -  € || $2.00 || 1.57 || $2.00  
+
| 1||[http://shop.leefiltersusa.com/Swatch-Book-Designers-Edition-SWB.htm filter leaflet]||1.57||2.00||1.57||2.00  
|-
|-
-
| 20||[http://www.dx.com/p/diy-male-to-female-dupont-breadboard-jumper-wires-black-multi-color-40-pcs-10cm-339078#.VDzxSdysWBp jumper wire cables]|| -  € || $0.11 || 0.09 € || $2.28  
+
| 20||[http://www.dx.com/p/diy-male-to-female-dupont-breadboard-jumper-wires-black-multi-color-40-pcs-10cm-339078#.VDzxSdysWBp jumper wire cables]||0.09||0.11||1.80||2.28  
|-
|-
-
| 1||[http://www.dx.com/p/syb-170-mini-breadboard-for-diy-project-red-140101#.VDzyudysWBo small breadboard]|| -  € || $2.51 || 1.98 || $2.51  
+
| 1||[http://www.dx.com/p/syb-170-mini-breadboard-for-diy-project-red-140101#.VDzyudysWBo small breadboard]||1.98||2.51||1.98||2.51  
|-
|-
-
| 1||[http://www.dx.com/p/universal-ac-charger-w-dual-usb-output-for-iphone-ipad-ipod-white-us-plug-244893#.VDzzMNysWBo power supply]|| -  € || $2.80 || 2.20 || $2.80  
+
| 1||[http://www.dx.com/p/universal-ac-charger-w-dual-usb-output-for-iphone-ipad-ipod-white-us-plug-244893 power supply]||2.20||2.80||2.20||2.80
|-
|-
-
| 1||cuvette holder (3D print service of your choice)|| 6.44 || $8.18 || 6.44 || $8.18  
+
| 1||cuvette holder (3D print service of your choice)||6.44||8.18||6.44||8.18
|-
|-
-
| 1||3&nbsp;mm acrylic glas (black)|| 7.98 || $10.14 || 7.98 || $10.14  
+
| 1||3&nbsp;mm acrylic glas (black)||7.98||10.14||7.98||10.14
|-
|-
-
| 1||[http://www.dx.com/p/prototype-universal-printed-circuit-board-breadboard-golden-10-piece-pack-143913#.VDz3ttysWBo Prototype Universal Printed Circuit Board]|| -  € || $2.88 || 2.27 || $2.88  
+
| 1||[http://www.dx.com/p/prototype-universal-printed-circuit-board-breadboard-golden-10-piece-pack-143913 Prototype Universal Printed Circuit Board]||2.27||2.88||2.27||2.88
|-
|-
-
| 1||[http://www.dx.com/p/2-54mm-1x40-pin-breakaway-straight-male-header-10-piece-pack-144191#.VDz4HtysWBo Male Headers]|| -  € || $2.72 || 2.14 || $2.72  
+
| 1||[http://www.dx.com/p/2-54mm-1x40-pin-breakaway-straight-male-header-10-piece-pack-144191#.VEGRF2d_tGg Male Headers]||2.14||2.72||2.14||2.72
 +
|- style="border-top: 2px solid #808080;"
 +
| 1||[http://www.mouser.de/ProductDetail/Dialight/550-2505F/?qs=0KZIkTEbAAvqMAW7suDOXg== LED 600&nbsp;nm]||0.94||1.19||0.94||1.19
|-
|-
-
| || || || || ||
+
! -!!Total OD!!-!!-!! 46.01 !! 58.45
|-
|-
-
| 1||[http://www.mouser.de/ProductDetail/Dialight/550-2505F/?qs=0KZIkTEbAAvqMAW7suDOXg== LED 600nm]|| 0.99 || $1.11 || 0.87 € || $1.11
+
| 1||[http://www.leds.de/Low-Mid-Power-LEDs/SuperFlux-LEDs/Nichia-Superflux-LED-blau-3lm-100-NSPBR70BSS.html LED 480&nbsp;nm]||0.99||1.26||0.99||1.26
|-
|-
-
! Total OD !!!!!!!! 45.94 € !! $58.37
+
! -!!Total F!!-!!-!! 46.06 !! 58.52
 +
|- style="border-top: 2px solid #808080;;"
 +
| 1||[http://www.mouser.de/ProductDetail/Dialight/550-2505F/?qs=0KZIkTEbAAvqMAW7suDOXg== LED 600nm]||0.94||1.19||0.94||1.19
|-
|-
-
| 1||[http://www.leds.de/Low-Mid-Power-LEDs/SuperFlux-LEDs/Nichia-Superflux-LED-blau-3lm-100-NSPBR70BSS.html LED 480nm]|| 0.99 || $1.26 || 0.99 || $1.26  
+
| 1||[http://www.leds.de/Low-Mid-Power-LEDs/SuperFlux-LEDs/Nichia-Superflux-LED-blau-3lm-100-NSPBR70BSS.html LED 480&nbsp;nm]||0.99||1.26||0.99||1.26
|-
|-
-
! Total F !!!!!!!! 46.06 € !! $58.52
+
| 1||cuvette holder (3D print service of your choice)||6.44||8.18||6.44||8.18
|-
|-
-
| 1||[http://www.mouser.de/ProductDetail/Dialight/550-2505F/?qs=0KZIkTEbAAvqMAW7suDOXg== LED 600nm]|| 0.99 € || $1.11 || 0.87 € || $1.11
+
! -!!Total OD/F!!-!!-!! 53.44 !! 67.89
-
|-
+
-
| 1||[http://www.leds.de/Low-Mid-Power-LEDs/SuperFlux-LEDs/Nichia-Superflux-LED-blau-3lm-100-NSPBR70BSS.html LED 480nm]|| 0.99 € || $1.26 || 0.99 € || $1.26
+
-
|-
+
-
! Total OD/F !!!!!!!! 47.05 € !! $59.78
+
|-
|-
|}
|}
 +
</center>
For more detailed economical information about the OD/F project visit our [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/PolicyPractices/Economics Economical View] page.
For more detailed economical information about the OD/F project visit our [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/PolicyPractices/Economics Economical View] page.
Line 350: Line 352:
All you need to do is choosing another lid, and connect a second light to frequency sensor to your Arduino.
All you need to do is choosing another lid, and connect a second light to frequency sensor to your Arduino.
Right at the bottom we present you the differences in wiring things up.
Right at the bottom we present you the differences in wiring things up.
-
Building the combined device is straight forward and very similar to the single device. You will need a slightly larger connector, a different lid for your case, and maybe more cables. The changed fritzing-layout is presented below.
+
Building the combined device is straight forward and very similar to the single device. You will need a slightly larger connector, a different lid for your case, and some more cables. The corresponding fritzing-layout is presented below.
{{Team:Aachen/Figure|Aachen_ODF_combined_Steckplatine.png|align=center|title=Our novel biosensor approach|subtitle=Expression of the TEV protease is induced by HSL. The protease cleaves the GFP-REACh fusion protein to elecit a fluorescence response.|width=900px}}
{{Team:Aachen/Figure|Aachen_ODF_combined_Steckplatine.png|align=center|title=Our novel biosensor approach|subtitle=Expression of the TEV protease is induced by HSL. The protease cleaves the GFP-REACh fusion protein to elecit a fluorescence response.|width=900px}}
Line 379: Line 381:
| [[File:Aachen_ODF_6.JPG|300px]] || ... also place the cuvette holder into the device. Attach the display to the device lid and close the casing.
| [[File:Aachen_ODF_6.JPG|300px]] || ... also place the cuvette holder into the device. Attach the display to the device lid and close the casing.
|-
|-
-
| [[File:Aachen_ODF_7.JPG|300px]] || Congratulations! You have finished constructing your own OD/F device!
+
| [[File:Aachen_ODF_7.JPG|300px]] || Congratulations! You have finished constructing your own OD/F Device!
|-
|-
| [[File:Aachen_zwei_Kuevetten.jpg|300px]] || ... or even the combined device!
| [[File:Aachen_zwei_Kuevetten.jpg|300px]] || ... or even the combined device!
|}
|}
 +
{{Team:Aachen/BlockSeparator}}
{{Team:Aachen/BlockSeparator}}
== References ==
== References ==
-
Lawrence, J. V. , and S. Maier. "Correction for the inherent error in optical density readings." Applied and Environmental Microbiology 33.2 (1977): 482–484. Available at: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=170707&tool=pmcentrez&rendertype=abstract.
+
Lawrence, J. V., & Maier, S. (1977). Correction for the inherent error in optical density readings. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 33(2), 482–484. Available at: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=170707&tool=pmcentrez&rendertype=abstract.
{{Team:Aachen/Footer}}
{{Team:Aachen/Footer}}

Latest revision as of 03:45, 18 October 2014

OD/F Device

On this page we present the technical details of our OD/F Device. You can skip to specific chapters by clicking on the panels below:

Aachen 14-10-10 ODF Button ipo.png

General Considerations

Building the OD/F Device has been an interesting task. While this device has been developed mainly by the IT division of our team, we got an immense support from the biologists suffering from color-blindness, yet eager to help selecting the best color filters for the LEDs.

The measuring principle and guidelines for this project have already been presented in the project section. Here, details about selecting filters, code and a construction manual are presented.

Cuvette Holder

The essential part of this device is the cuvette holder. In short, we had to overcome a dilemma created by the need for an optimal height for the sensor:

  • A too low sensor position bears problems with sedimentation as well as light diffraction from the bottom of the cuvette.
  • The sensor has to be as close as possible to the bottom so that enough light shines through for the fluorescence measurement.

As a compromise, we place the sensor at a height of 0.75 cm. It is comparable to one of the standard heights (0.2 cm, 0.8 cm, 1.2 cm) of OD meters. It is important to note that our device works with filling volumens of just 1 mL, which in fact comes close to reality in the lab.

The final cuvette holder design is rendered from a stl-file shown below:


Cuvette Holder developed for our OD/F Device.

Light Filters

Finding the right and optimal filters is a tough challenge. The main goal throughout our project has been to choose easily available parts which are also inexpensive. Thus choosing Schott glasses as filters could not be considered. Alternatively, filters used for illumination of theaters were found to be an ideal solution.

We tested serveral filters and the optimal configuration of filters used is listed below.

Mode Fluorescence Protein Filter Name Filter Peak Excitation Peak Emission
Fluorescence [http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_E0040 GFPmut3b] [http://leefilters.com/lighting/colour-details.html#736 Twickenham Green] Aachen Filter 736.png 501nm 511nm
Optical Density -- [http://leefilters.com/lighting/colour-details.html#019 Fire] Aachen Filter 019.png 600nm 600nm

The fluorescence protein [http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_E0040 GFPmut3b] has a peak excitation at 501 nm and a peak emission at 511 nm - too close together for our low-cost filters to block the excitation light but transmit the emitted light. Thus, we chose to excite at around 485 nm reduce false positive results below 500 nm. However, no adequate filter for these settings could be found. Eventually, using the dark greenish [http://leefilters.com/lighting/colour-details.html#736 Twickenham Green] filter only little amounts of light shorter than 500 nm gets through, reducing any bias from excitation illumination significantly. Unfortunately, the transmission rate of this filter is quite bad, 20% only, for the target emission wavelength of 511 nm.

Linearity of the Hardware Light Sensor

It is crucial that the selected hardware is mapping reality into the digital world of our $\mu$-Controller. In order to sense reality our setup uses a light to frequency sensor, TSL235R-LF. The light to frequency sensor resembles the most to a photo transistor and thus is less sensible to temperature than a light dependant resistor. Additionally counting a frequency using interrupts seems to be easier and more accurate than using the analog to digital converter.

Using a dilution series of purified iLOV we could determine the characteristic curve for the light sensor. Finally we can conclude that the sensor is linear as expected and shown in the datasheet.

Aachen 15-10-14 Linearity iFG.PNG
Linearity of TSL235R-LF sensor
Dilution series of GFP expressing E. coli showing linearity between fluorescence count and dilution. The linearity of the chosen sensor can be determined.

We are measuring optical density using our in-house developed cuvette holder. Particularly for optical density measurement, the amount of light shining through the sample is crucial. If there is too few light, there will be not enough light registered at the sensor, and the resolution of the measurement shrinks. This should be prevented. The chosen light to frequency sensor is reported to be very sensitive on the amount of light shining on it. There are reports of the sensor breaking when put into sunlight on a nice day, and not being sensitive at both high light or low light [http://kesslerarduino.wordpress.com/author/kevinmkessler/page/2/ conditions].


Aachen Cuvette button v1 ipo.png

Evaluation of the Optical Density Measurement

From Transmittance to True Optical Density

At very low levels, uncorrected photometric determinations of cell densities show a decreasing proportionaility to actual cell density.

This can also be observed using our device.

In general, photometric determination of bacterial concentrations depends primarily on light scattering, rather than light absorption. Therefore, often not absorption is measured, but transmittance. For this, the relationship between optical density (OD) and transmitted light $\frac{I_0}{I}$ exists as:

$$ OD = \frac{I_0}{I} = \kappa \cdot c$$

where $I_0$ is the intensity of incoming light and $I$ the amount of the light passing through.

However, this equation is linear only in a certain range. While one can tackle this non-linearity by using dilutions of the culture, correcting the error systematically is another way to overcome this limitation.

For our OD device we needed to correlate the transmittance measured by our sensor to an optical density anyway. Our team members from the deterministic sciences emphasized on the correction method, which was conducted according to Lawrence and Maier (2006):

  • The relative density ($RD$) of each sample in a dilution series is calculated using $\frac{min(dilution)}{dilution}$.
  • The uncorrected optical density is derived from the transmission T [%]: $OD = 2 - \log T$
  • Finally, the unit optical density is calculated as $\frac{OD}{TD}$.
  • The average of the stable unit optical densities is used to calculate the true optical density $ OD_{unit} \cdot RD $.

This way, the correlation between transmission and true optical density can be computed. The derived function allows the conversion from transmission to optical density on our device and therefore calibrates our device.


In our experiments, we find in accordance to Lawrence and Maier that the correction majorly depends on the technical equipment used, especially the LED, sensor and cuvettes. While this at first sight looks disappointing, it is also expected: Transmittance is the fraction of light not absorbed by some medium relative to the cell-free and clear medium. However, the transmittance is not only dependent on the amount of cells in the way of the light's beam, but also how much light shines through the cuvette in which fashion, and in which fraction is received by the sensor in which angles.

Using the above formula we performed this experiment for Pseudomonas putida and Saccharomyces cerevisiae and asked team Freiburg to perform the same experiment using mamallian cells.

Experiments

We performed several experiments during the development of the device. Finally, we can relate the measured transmittance to the true Optical Density (true OD), and further, we can relate the true OD to the true OD of the photospectrometer in our lab. By doing so, we can calibrate our device to meaningful values.

We have done this according to the previous section for Pseudomonas putida and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The final function for calculating the OD from the transmission calculated by our device can be calculated as

$$ OD(T) = f(T) \circ g(device) $$

where $f$ transforms transforms transmittance $T$ to true optical density for our device, and $g$ transforms true optical density of our device into the true optical density of the photospectrometer. This way our device is calibrated according to the photospectrometer.

Pseudomonas putida

Aachen 15-10-14 Pputida iFG.PNG
True Optical Density to Transmittance plot for P. putida
Aachen 15-10-14 Pputida OD iFG.PNG
Corrolating the true optical density of the OD/F Device to true optical density of the photospectrometer for P. putida

Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Aachen 15-10-14 Scer iFG.PNG
True Optical Density to Transmittance plot for S. cerivisiae
Aachen 15-10-14 Scer OD iFG.PNG
Corrolating the true optical density of the OD/F Device to true optical density of the photospectrometer for S. cerivisiae

From these plots, it can be seen that our device delivers robust and reproducible results for both procaryotes and eucaryotes. Also the function from transmittance to true OD follows a clear pattern, making its calculation possible on a low-end device like a microcontroller.

It is interesting to observer that function $g$, mapping the true OD of our device to the true OD of the photospectrometer, are close together for both P. putida and S. cerivisae, as seen by the regression coefficient. In fact, 3.416 and 3.461 are such close together, that the minor deviation could be just measuring inaccuracy. Therefore, we fix the regression coefficient for converting true OD of our device to true OD of the photospectrometer to an average of 3.432 .

Additionally, the function $f$ for mapping transmittance to true OD for our device is similar for all cell types, as seen in the following figure. Therefore the exponential regression curve for all cell types specifies this function.

Aachen ODallstrains1.png
Transmission of different cell types at OD-values from 0.001-1
The transmittance data of NIH 3T3 cells (mouse fibroblasts) align with the transmittance of P. putida and S. cerevisiae strains, even though the measured optical densities are lower by 1-2 orders of magnitude.

Finally, we have empirically determined our $OD(T)$ function by finding $f$ and $g$, such that we can convert true OD to the optical density of the photospectrometer.

By this evaluation, we have shown that our self-build OD/F Device can compete with commercial systems. It is easy to calibrate by just calculating the true optical density.


Aachen 17-10-14 Glowing cuvette-ipo.png

Evaluation of the Fluorescence Measurement

For the evaluation of the fluorescence measurement, we performed a dilution series of a constitutively GFPmut3b expressing E. coli.

The below figure shows the absolute measurements for both the platereader and our OD/F Device. The abrupt jump at 50% concentration can be explained by a second dilution step and is prevalent in both devices. It can be seen that the platereader show a much higher difference between the GFP and non-GFP cell culture at a higher standard deviation. Another interesting metric is the difference between the GFP and non-GFP, which can be seen as the normalized fluorescence measure.

Aachn 15-10-14 F platereader ODF iFG.PNG
Fluorescence Measurement comparison OD/F Device and Platereader (absolute values)
Comparison of a fluorescence measurement of our device and the platereader. Our OD/F Device shows no significant linearity.

If one compares the results there, as in the below figure with normalized fluorescence values, interesting observations can be made. First, both platereader and OD/F Device show very similar results. The regression curves differ only in a linear factor. Most interestingly the general fit of the OD/F Device to a linear function seems to be better than the platereader. Overall the linearity which has been observed earlier (in testing the general setup) could be verified. Therefore our do-it-yourself OD/F Device can be used to determine fluorescence.

Aachen 15-10-14 F platereader ODF2 iFG.PNG
Fluorescence Measurement comparison OD/F Device and platereader using normalized fluorescence values
Comparison of a fluorescence measurement of our device and the platereader. Our OD/F Device shows no significant. A non-GFP expressing E. coli dilution has been used to normalize the GFP dilution series. A linear correlation can be seen.


Aachen 14-10-15 DIY Cellocks iNB.png

DIY: How to Build Your Own Device

Technical Components

While the casing and the cuvette holder are custom made, most of the parts are pre-made and can be readily bought. The previous section lists all needed parts. To get all these parts for creating your own OD/F Device is easy using the internet. Thus all potential customers have a market access to the used components.

Please find our custom parts for download below. Despite being custom parts, these are quite inenxpensive - so feel free to give our OD/F Device a test! For printing the 3D model of our cuvette holder and laser cutting our case, we want to express many thanks to [http://hci.rwth-aachen.de/fablab Fablab Aachen].

You will need a special [http://www.exp-tech.de/images/product_images/description%20images/YWRobot/1602/LiquidCrystal_I2C1602V2.rar library] for the display, which can not be uploaded for legal reasons.


All needed components their quantities and prices for creating your own OD/F Device

OD/F Device 1€= $1.27 on 14/10/2014
QuantityComponent Costs [€] Costs [$] Final [€] Final [$]
1[http://www.dx.com/p/uno-r3-development-board-microcontroller-mega328p-atmega16u2-compat-for-arduino-blue-black-215600#.VDzwV9ysWBp Arduino UNO R3]9.1711.659.1711.65
1[http://www.mouser.de/ProductDetail/ams/TSL235R-LF/?qs=14HO7rLZPQsjmBHaoYCzkA%3D%3D TSL 235R]2.473.142.473.14
1[http://www.dx.com/p/16-x-2-character-lcd-display-module-with-blue-backlight-121356 Display 16x2]2.583.282.583.28
1[http://www.dx.com/p/lcd1602-adapter-board-w-iic-i2c-interface-black-works-with-official-arduino-boards-216865#.VDzxHNysWBp LCD Display to I2C]1.571.991.571.99
1[http://www.newark.com/multicomp/mcpas6b1m1ce3/switch-pushbutton-spst-400ma-125v/dp/12P7696?ost=1638329 Pushbutton]2.903.692.903.69
1[http://shop.leefiltersusa.com/Swatch-Book-Designers-Edition-SWB.htm filter leaflet]1.572.001.572.00
20[http://www.dx.com/p/diy-male-to-female-dupont-breadboard-jumper-wires-black-multi-color-40-pcs-10cm-339078#.VDzxSdysWBp jumper wire cables]0.090.111.802.28
1[http://www.dx.com/p/syb-170-mini-breadboard-for-diy-project-red-140101#.VDzyudysWBo small breadboard]1.982.511.982.51
1[http://www.dx.com/p/universal-ac-charger-w-dual-usb-output-for-iphone-ipad-ipod-white-us-plug-244893 power supply]2.202.802.202.80
1cuvette holder (3D print service of your choice)6.448.186.448.18
13 mm acrylic glas (black)7.9810.147.9810.14
1[http://www.dx.com/p/prototype-universal-printed-circuit-board-breadboard-golden-10-piece-pack-143913 Prototype Universal Printed Circuit Board]2.272.882.272.88
1[http://www.dx.com/p/2-54mm-1x40-pin-breakaway-straight-male-header-10-piece-pack-144191#.VEGRF2d_tGg Male Headers]2.142.722.142.72
1[http://www.mouser.de/ProductDetail/Dialight/550-2505F/?qs=0KZIkTEbAAvqMAW7suDOXg== LED 600 nm]0.941.190.941.19
-Total OD-- 46.01 58.45
1[http://www.leds.de/Low-Mid-Power-LEDs/SuperFlux-LEDs/Nichia-Superflux-LED-blau-3lm-100-NSPBR70BSS.html LED 480 nm]0.991.260.991.26
-Total F-- 46.06 58.52
1[http://www.mouser.de/ProductDetail/Dialight/550-2505F/?qs=0KZIkTEbAAvqMAW7suDOXg== LED 600nm]0.941.190.941.19
1[http://www.leds.de/Low-Mid-Power-LEDs/SuperFlux-LEDs/Nichia-Superflux-LED-blau-3lm-100-NSPBR70BSS.html LED 480 nm]0.991.260.991.26
1cuvette holder (3D print service of your choice)6.448.186.448.18
-Total OD/F-- 53.44 67.89

For more detailed economical information about the OD/F project visit our Economical View page.

Breadboards

Optical Density

Aachen ODdevice Steckplatine.png
Breadboard of our OD device
To build your own OD device, connect the parts as shown in this diagram.

If you want to build our OD device, make sure to use the following secret ingredients:

  • Filter: [http://www.leefilters.com/lighting/colour-details.html#019 Fire 019]
  • LED: [http://www.mouser.de/ProductDetail/Dialight/550-2505F/?qs=0KZIkTEbAAvqMAW7suDOXg== 600 nm] Dialight 550-2505F

Fluorescence

Aachen Fdevice Steckplatine.png
Our novel biosensor approach
Expression of the TEV protease is induced by HSL. The protease cleaves the GFP-REACh fusion protein to elecit a fluorescence response.

If you want to build the OD device, make sure to use the following secret ingredients:

  • Filter: [http://www.leefilters.com/lighting/colour-details.html#736 Twickenham Green 736]
  • LED: [http://www.leds.de/Low-Mid-Power-LEDs/SuperFlux-LEDs/Nichia-Superflux-LED-blau-3lm-100-NSPBR70BSS.html 480 nm] NSPBR70BSS LED

Combined Device

Even though evaluation of the measurements have been performed in two separate device, it is fairly well possible to put everything into one casing. All you need to do is choosing another lid, and connect a second light to frequency sensor to your Arduino. Right at the bottom we present you the differences in wiring things up. Building the combined device is straight forward and very similar to the single device. You will need a slightly larger connector, a different lid for your case, and some more cables. The corresponding fritzing-layout is presented below.

Aachen ODF combined Steckplatine.png
Our novel biosensor approach
Expression of the TEV protease is induced by HSL. The protease cleaves the GFP-REACh fusion protein to elecit a fluorescence response.

Construction Steps

Aachen ODF 9.JPG First we want to assemble the casing. Once you have all the cut parts, you can start to assemble them. For cutting, we really recommend using a laser cutter.
Aachen ODF 8.JPG Attach the cuvette-holder holders such that the cuvette holder is placed directly under the opening hole.
Aachen ODF 4.JPG Next build the lid of the device. At this stage you can already mount the button. We recommend to glue any parts.
Aachen ODF 3.JPG Your lid finally should look like this.
Aachen ODF 11.JPGAachen ODF 10.JPG Next we want to assemble the cuvette holders. On the side with the square hole attach the light-to-frequency sensor with glue. For the OD case place the orange LED opposite, or for fluorescence, the LED in the hole in the bottom. Make sure to close any remaining open hole! Please attach a piece of filter foil (approx. $7 \times 7 mm^2$) from the inside in front of the light to frequency converter. Forceps is highly recommended.
Aachen ODF 12.JPG Your final assembly should then look like this. Now place the correct filter into the cuvette holder, directly in front of the sensor. Make sure that the filter does not degrade due to the glue!
Aachen ODF 14.JPG As the case can be used for both, fluorescence and OD measurement, we use a combined plug. Just three header rows (7 pins, 9pins for combined) and connect them as we did.
Aachen ODF 1.JPG Now we're doing the wiring. Connect the Arduino 5V and GND such that you have one 5V and one GND line on your breadboard.
Aachen ODF 2.JPG Then connect the button to 5V on the one side, and to GND via a resistor on the other side. Connect this side also to port __ on your Arduino. This will sense the blank. Next connect the display to the Arduino and our connector. See the Fritzing diagram at the bottom for a detailed information.
Aachen ODF 13.JPG Now put everything into the case and ...
Aachen ODF 6.JPG ... also place the cuvette holder into the device. Attach the display to the device lid and close the casing.
Aachen ODF 7.JPG Congratulations! You have finished constructing your own OD/F Device!
Aachen zwei Kuevetten.jpg ... or even the combined device!


References

Lawrence, J. V., & Maier, S. (1977). Correction for the inherent error in optical density readings. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 33(2), 482–484. Available at: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=170707&tool=pmcentrez&rendertype=abstract.