Team:Aachen/PolicyPractices/Economics

From 2014.igem.org

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'''Make the world a better place - Open access for scientific progress'''
'''Make the world a better place - Open access for scientific progress'''
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In the center of every economic analysis are the customers and their needs and desires. Every commercial company is interested to satisfy and deal with all customer needs for better sales figures, and in order to maintain regular clientele. Both measures aim for '''higher financial  profits'''. On the global seller’s market  of technical laboratory equipment there is a permanent competition between the existing providers. This competition depends on these financial profits: technical improvement followed by '''price wars'''. Besides, good price-performance ratios always catch customers and influence their purchase decision. Especially since globalization takes place products from the asian market which are often reasonably but for that they often have a lower quality.
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In the center of every economic analysis are the customers and their needs and desires. Every commercial company is interested in satisfying and dealing with all customer needs for better sales figures, in order to maintain regular clientele. Both measures aim for '''higher financial  profits'''. On the global seller’s market  of technical laboratory equipment there is a permanent competition between the existing providers. On the one hand, this competition depends on the mentioned financial profits and, on the other hand, on the following factors: technical improvement followed by price wars. Due to globalization products from the Asian market are increasingly competing with the American and European market resulting in intensive price wars. On the Asian market personnel and production costs are much less and thus the same product can be sold with higher profits. Some of these products are less expensive but are often of lower quality, too. However, for a company it is important to chose a good '''price-performance ratio''' because this factor always catch customers and influence their purchase decision.
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{{Team:Aachen/FigureFloat|TeamAachen DiagrammThermoScientific.png|title=Costs and operating expenses for companies producing technical laboratory equipment (annual report. (2013). Thermo Fisher Scientific)|width=600px}}
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{{Team:Aachen/FigureFloat|TeamAachen DiagrammThermoScientific.png|title=Costs and operating expenses for companies producing technical laboratory equipment|subtitle=(Thermo Fisher Scientific, 2013)|width=600px}}
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Take a look at cost calculations for technical laboratory equipment including development, production, transport, warehousing and sale. Usually, you will find in this branche on one hand low costs for research and development, restruction, amorthilisation and other costs. On th other hand you will find really high costs of revenues and also  selling, general and administartion expenses. At least financial profit is a big cost point cause buisinesses have to self-financing. In general, these factors are making '''technical equipment for labs really expensive''' and so one unattractive for low budgets. One off the world's biggest producer of laboratory products is [http://www.thermofisher.com/en/home.html Thermo Fisher Scientific]. They also offer photometer and other equipment stuff. The image on the left side shows all costs and operating expenses out off the [http://ir.thermofisher.com/investors/financial-information/annual-reports/default.aspx annual report 2013] from Thermo Fisher Scientific.
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Take a look at cost calculations for technical laboratory equipment including development, production, transport, warehousing and sale. Usually, you will find that in this branche there are really low costs for research and development, restruction and amorthilisation. In contrast, general expenses and costs for administartion, revenues, and sales are high. Lastly, financial profit is a big cost point cause businesses have to be self-financing. In general, these factors are making '''technical equipment for labs really expensive''', and therefore unaffordable for low-budget instutions.  
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One of the world's biggest producers of laboratory products is [http://www.thermofisher.com/en/home.html Thermo Fisher Scientific]. They also offer photometers and other equipment. The image on the left side shows all costs and operating expenses listed in the [http://ir.thermofisher.com/investors/financial-information/annual-reports/default.aspx Annual Report 2013] from Thermo Fisher Scientific.
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We follow a strategy to circumvent unnecessary costs for customers by realizing a '''social vision'''. In accordance with the principle of open source including both '''open hardware''' and open software, information where to get the necessary components, quantities, a step-by-step technical construction manual and circuit diagrams could be published online for free. Potential customers can follow our given building instructions and download needed informations from our [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Notebook/Engineering engineering website]. So our profit is not of financial nature but is instead based on recognition and on motivating other iGEM teams and companies to spread the idea of open hardware, too. In accordance with the motto do-it-yourself we offer '''low budget versions''' while '''reducing''' all '''potential costs''' exept for the basic costs where material costs are falling under it. Customers with a little technical skill, willingness to try something new and keen to experiments could follow our step-by-step building instructions and creat their own devices.  
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We follow a strategy to circumvent unnecessary costs for customers by realizing a '''social vision'''. In accordance with the '''principle of open source''' including both open hardware and open software, information where to get the necessary components, quantities, step-by-step technical construction manuals and circuit diagrams are '''published online for free'''. Potential customers can follow our provided instructions and acquire information from our [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Notebook/Engineering Engineering page]. Therefore, our profit is not of financial nature but is instead based on recognition and on motivating other iGEM teams and companies to '''spread the idea of open hardware''', too. In accordance with the motto "Do It Yourself!" (DIY) we offer low-budget versions through reducing costs at as many points as possible, except for the basic costs for material. Customers with a little technical dexterity, motivation to try something new and who are keen to experiment can follow our step-by-step construction manual to create their own custom-made devices.  
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{{Team:Aachen/Figure|Aachen Team Social vision.png|title=Social vision as economical strategy for creating access to technical equipment|width=800px}}
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{{Team:Aachen/Figure|Aachen Social Vision.png|title=Social vision as economical strategy for creating access to low-budget technical equipment.|width=800px}}
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To make our whole idea more user-friendly we thought over the offering of device kits. With this theoretical method customers don't have to order a lot of separate device parts from diffrent componies but still were not able of '''flexibility'''. Flexible with regard to potential new modifications of the devices including the choise of other building parts or a replenishment. Especially in natural science changes are lying under a daily agenda. New improvements are so direct assimili- and realizable in our concept devices.
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To make our product more user-friendly, we '''considered offering device kits'''. When offering kits customers do not have to order a lot of separate device parts from different suppliers. However, this introduces the disadvantage of a '''loss of flexibility'''. Yet it is very important to have the '''opportunity to modify''' the devices, for example, by choosing alternative parts or including add-ons, because research requiring novel techniques advances quickly in the natural sciences. With our concept, improvements and adjustments are thus immediately realizable.
   
   
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At least we want to mention that our vision is limited in getting acceptance by companies on the global seller market and we know about this problem. These companies, parts of them global players, are profit orientated and following another firm strategy. Our vision is standing against this as '''non-profit-idea''' finding acceptance in other groups of customers with lower budgets and just open view of fiancial aspects.  
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Lastly, we want to mention that our vision is limited because it is incompatible with capitalism which rules the global market. Generally, companies are profit oriented and follow a different economical strategy than our iGEM team. As '''non-profit concept''', our idea is therefore limited to a group of customers with lower budgets.  
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<span class="anchor" id="economicswatson"></span>
<span class="anchor" id="economicswatson"></span>
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The measurement device [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Project/Measurement_Device ''WatsOn''] for our [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Project/2D_Biosensor 2D biosensor], too, has been designed accordingly. So far, no comparable devices could be found on the commercial market. Here, we definitely have a pioneer role. Following our do-it-yourself method everybody can create his own ''WatsOn'' for 310 $ using the given [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Notebook/Engineering/WatsOn building instructions]. Starting with the order of needed components followed by assembling the different parts. Components for rebuliding are easy availible all over the world using the folowing links.
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The measurement device [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Project/Measurement_Device ''WatsOn''] for our [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Project/2D_Biosensor 2D biosensor] has been designed according to our social vision. So far, we have not found comparable devices on the market. Here, we definitely take a pioneer role. Following our DIY concept, you can create your own ''WatsOn'' for '''just $310''' using the given [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Notebook/Engineering/WatsOn construction manual]. All components for putting a ''WatsOn'' together are easily available all over the world using the following links.
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'''All needed components, their quantities and prices for creating your own ''WatsOn'''''
'''All needed components, their quantities and prices for creating your own ''WatsOn'''''
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| 1||cupboard button||0.98||1.24||0.98||1.24
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Such low prices with the acceptance of '''self-building''' opens a grand new customer market and offers competition to commercial saleable products. Especially in developing counties our ''WatsOn'' could help and its low rebuilding costs are making purchase possible. Such those low material costs and the high technical flexibility are making ''WatsOn'' to an adequate device for developing countries, community labs and the biohacker scene. In particular for developing countries such a low budget device version bids a good alternative to regular devices for detecting pathogens. With our device institutions in such those countries have an access to modern technology and working methods.
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Such low prices in combination with the DIY concept opens a grand new customer market and lets our device '''compete with commercially available products'''. Especially in developing counties our ''WatsOn'' could help improve health infrastructure since high cost are eliminated as an obstacle. The low material costs and the high technical flexibility turn ''WatsOn'' into an adequate device for developing countries, community labs and the biohacking scene. Particularly for developing countries, such a low-budget device poses a '''good alternative to regular devices''' for detecting pathogens and other bacteria. With our device, we create access to modern technology and working methods for everybody.
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{{Team:Aachen/Figure|Aachen_Team_WatsOn_3.png|title=''WatsOn's'' self-made concept makes it available for low budged institutions|width=800px}}
{{Team:Aachen/Figure|Aachen_Team_WatsOn_3.png|title=''WatsOn's'' self-made concept makes it available for low budged institutions|width=800px}}
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Also for this device we are offering the building plan and also the needed software Measuraty for use. This makes it for institutions and also for amateurs possible to modify the device according to personal progress including for example the '''range of detectable micro-organisms'''. As an example it could be possible to detect not just the fluorescent of GFP and iLOV but also important reporter-proteins YFP, CFP or RFP. This would just be possible by changing the filter slides or LEDs.
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For ''WatsOn'', we offer both the construction manual and the image processing software ''Measurarty''. Since we do not offer everything in one kit, it is possible for the user to modify the device and software according to personal needs such as '''adjusting the range od detectable microorganisms'''. By engineering the ''Cellocks'' detection of other pathogens is theoretically possible. However, please always mind the respective [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Safety safety aspects] when dealing with GMOs and human pathogens. Moverover, it is possible to detect not just the fluorescence of GFP and iLOV. Just by changing the filters and/or LEDs, the device can be modified such that the fluorescence '''other regularly used reporter proteins like YFP, CFP or RFP can be detected'''.  
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However, please always remind yourself of the respective [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Safety safety aspects] when dealing with GMOs and human pathogens.
 
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<span class="anchor" id="economicsodf"></span>
<span class="anchor" id="economicsodf"></span>
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One of our greater visions we share with the synthetic biology community is that everyone interested in biological work should have access to basic laboratory equipment. With our OD/F Device we are able to offer a low cost solution for community labs, biohackers and high schools.  
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One of our greater visions we share with the synthetic biology community is that everyone interested in biological work should have access to basic laboratory equipment. With our OD/F Device, we '''offer a low-cost solution for community labs, biohackers and high schools'''.  
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{{Team:Aachen/FigureFloat|Netdiagramm_ODF_Device.png|title= Advantages and Disadvantes of our OD/F Device compared to commercial availiable devices|width=400px}}
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{{Team:Aachen/FigureFloat|Netdiagramm_ODF_Device.png|title= Advantages and disadvantes of our OD/F Device compared to commercially available devices|subtitle=We compared the devices in portability, affordability, reliability, user-friendliness, capabilities, precision and accuracy.|width=400px}}
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In general we have to make a difference between our OD and our F device. The reason for this is the bad comparability to commercial devices. These don't combine the measure of fluorescence and OD. With our OD/F we offer a solution to combine both measurement methods in one device. With our given instructions it is also possible to build two separate devices one for OD and one for F. In this context we offer the user a higher flexibility of choice during the user is also able to modify our device according to his own ideas and wishes.  
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For an economic analysis, we deal with F Device and the OD Device separately. The reason for this is the bad comparability to commercial devices. Latter do not combine the measurument of fluorescence and OD while being in the same product class of small, portable devices. With our OD/F Device, we offer a '''solution to combine both measurement methods in one mobile device'''. With the instructions provided by us it possible to either build an OD Device or an F Device or an OD/F Device. We are offering a high degree of flexibility by enabling the user to modify our device according to own ideas and wishes.  
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Commercially obtainable spectrophotometers like [http://www.opticsplanet.com/unico-model-s-1205-spectrophotometer-5-nm-bandpass.html UNICO S-1205], for example, costs 1.249&nbsp;$ or more, and can measure optical density only. At the same time they are heavy, not portable and therefore not easy to handle. Specially the portability is beside the low costs a big poitive point which allows new rages of applications. But compared to our device it is able to work with a broader range of wavelengths and it has a higher accuracy and precision. Besides commercial [http://www.moleculardevices.com/systems/microplate-readers/fluorescent-readers/gemini-xps plate reader] are also available on the market, too. To compare our device with this comercial devices is really difficult because no portable devices like ours could be found which can also measure at a wave-band of 480 nm.
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Both portability and low cost are two out of several factors that we heavily place importance on. Commercially obtainable spectrophotometers like [http://www.opticsplanet.com/unico-model-s-1205-spectrophotometer-5-nm-bandpass.html UNICO S-1205], for example, cost $1.250 or more, and can measure optical density only. On top of that, they are heavy, hardly portable and therefore not easy to handle. However, they are able to work with a broader range of wavelengths and show higher accuracy and precision. For measuring fluorescence, devices such as [http://www.moleculardevices.com/systems/microplate-readers/fluorescent-readers/gemini-xps plate readers] are available. Yet comparing a commercial device with our F Device is really difficult because we could not find one that is both portable and able to measure at 480&nbsp;nm.
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Comparable to our developed device in the points measuring range and portability is the OD-meter [http://www.laboratory-equipment.com/laboratory-equipment/cell-density-meter.php CO 8000]. This device measures also the OD at 600&nbsp;nm but still costs almost 920&nbsp;$. Our [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/OD/F_device OD/F Device] can measure OD as well as fluorescence for less than [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Notebook/Engineering/ODF#diy 60&nbsp;$] like the following chart is showing. '''Cost saving''' lies here round about '''850&nbsp;$'''. Money that could definetly be given some better utilizations like into other projects. One weakness of our device is the low reliability compared to commercial devices. This is because of the used low cost materials. Prices are given in $ and for better accoutability and conversion.
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To compare our device to another commercially availalbe system we chose the OD-meter [http://www.laboratory-equipment.com/laboratory-equipment/cell-density-meter.php CO 8000]. This device measures the OD at 600&nbsp;nm, too, but costs almost $920. Our [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/OD/F_device OD/F Device] can measure OD as well as fluorescence for less than [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Notebook/Engineering/ODF#diy $60] as shown in the chart on the left. The '''cost savings''' here are round about '''$850''', money that could definetly be invested into other research projects or equipment instead. Nonetheless, one weakness of our device is the low reliability compared to commercial devices. This is due to use of low cost materials. Prices are given in both Euro and US-Dollar for better accountability and easy conversion.
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| 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.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  
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| 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]||2.47||3.14||2.47||3.14  
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| 1||[http://www.mouser.de/ProductDetail/ams/TSL235R-LF/?qs=14HO7rLZPQsjmBHaoYCzkA%3D%3D TSL 235R]||2.47||3.14||2.47||3.14  
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| 1||[http://www.dx.com/p/16-x-2-character-lcd-display-module-with-blue-backlight-121356#.VDzxHNysWBp Display 16x2]||2.58||3.28||2.58||3.28  
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| 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  
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| 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.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  
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| 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/syb-170-mini-breadboard-for-diy-project-red-140101#.VDzyudysWBo small breadboard]||1.98||2.51||1.98||2.51  
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| 1||[http://www.dx.com/p/universal-ac-charger-w-dual-usb-output-for-iphone-ipad-ipod-white-us-plug-244893#.VDzzMNysWBo power supply]||2.20||2.80||2.20||2.80
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 1||[http://www.dx.com/p/prototype-universal-printed-circuit-board-breadboard-golden-10-piece-pack-143913#.VDz3ttysWBo Prototype Universal Printed Circuit Board]||2.27||2.88||2.27||2.88
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| 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
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| 1||[http://www.dx.com/p/2-54mm-1x40-pin-breakaway-straight-male-header-10-piece-pack-144191#.VDz4HtysWBo Male Headers]||2.14||2.72||2.14||2.72
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| 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
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|- style="border-top: 2px solid #808080;"
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| 1||[http://www.mouser.de/ProductDetail/Dialight/550-2505F/?qs=0KZIkTEbAAvqMAW7suDOXg== LED 600&nbsp;nm]||0.94||1.19||0.94||1.19
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| 1||[http://www.mouser.de/ProductDetail/Dialight/550-2505F/?qs=0KZIkTEbAAvqMAW7suDOXg== LED 600&nbsp;nm]||0.99||1.11||0.87||1.11
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! -!!Total OD!!-!!-!! 46.01 !! 58.45
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! Total OD !!!!!!!! 45.94  !! 58.37
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| 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
| 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
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! Total F !!!!!!!! 46.06 !! 58.52  
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! -!!Total F!!-!!-!! 46.06 !! 58.52  
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|- style="border-top: 2px solid #808080;;"
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| 1||[http://www.mouser.de/ProductDetail/Dialight/550-2505F/?qs=0KZIkTEbAAvqMAW7suDOXg== LED 600nm]||0.99||1.11||0.87||1.11
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| 1||[http://www.mouser.de/ProductDetail/Dialight/550-2505F/?qs=0KZIkTEbAAvqMAW7suDOXg== LED 600nm]||0.94||1.19||0.94||1.19
|-
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| 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
| 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
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! Total OD/F !!!!!!!! 47.05 !! 59.78
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| 1||cuvette holder (3D print service of your choice)||6.44||8.18||6.44||8.18
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! -!!Total OD/F!!-!!-!! 53.44 !! 67.89
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All you have to do is to order the needed parts from the list above, invest some time and have technnical skills to construct our OD/F Device. It's still this aspect which could also have simultanious a positive learning effect for people in schools and universities and so on. Therefore, we present a solution for '''low budget institutions''' like schools, universities, community labs and the biohacking scene.  
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To build your own OD/F Device, all you have to do is order the required parts listed above, invest some time and have a little technical dexterity. This DIY aspect could also have a positive learning effect, for example, for students in schools, universities and other educational institutions.  
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In our cooperation with the [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Collaborations/Kaiser-Karls-Gymnasium Kaiser-Karls-Gymnasium] and with [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Collaborations/Neanderlab NEAnderLab] one of our target groups gathered first experience using our OD/F Device. As result we received the answer of our question if the device is useable in daily practice with teenagers. And we got a positive feedback for this. Even young people are able to use and understand our device without any security risk like mentioned on our [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Safety safty page].
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In our cooperations with the [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Collaborations/Kaiser-Karls-Gymnasium Kaiser-Karls-Gymnasium] and with [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Collaborations/Neanderlab NEAnderLab], one of our target groups '''already gathered first experience''' using our OD/F Device. This proves that our device is suitable for school everday life. When working with the schools, we got a lot of positive feedback from the instructors as well as the students.
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In summary, in our OD/F Device, we see a piece of equipment to measure OD and fluorescence, two quantities regularly used in biology, that is open source and perfectly fit for low-budget instutions such as schools, universities, community labs and the biohacking scene.
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{{Team:Aachen/BlockSeparator}}
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==References==
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Annual report. (2013). Thermo Fisher Scientific. Available at http://ir.thermofisher.com/investors/financial-information/annual-reports/default.aspx.
{{Team:Aachen/Footer}}
{{Team:Aachen/Footer}}

Latest revision as of 01:46, 18 October 2014

Aachen open access.png

Economical View

The economical considerations regarding our project were carried out according to the motto:

Make the world a better place - Open access for scientific progress

In the center of every economic analysis are the customers and their needs and desires. Every commercial company is interested in satisfying and dealing with all customer needs for better sales figures, in order to maintain regular clientele. Both measures aim for higher financial profits. On the global seller’s market of technical laboratory equipment there is a permanent competition between the existing providers. On the one hand, this competition depends on the mentioned financial profits and, on the other hand, on the following factors: technical improvement followed by price wars. Due to globalization products from the Asian market are increasingly competing with the American and European market resulting in intensive price wars. On the Asian market personnel and production costs are much less and thus the same product can be sold with higher profits. Some of these products are less expensive but are often of lower quality, too. However, for a company it is important to chose a good price-performance ratio because this factor always catch customers and influence their purchase decision.

TeamAachen DiagrammThermoScientific.png
Costs and operating expenses for companies producing technical laboratory equipment
(Thermo Fisher Scientific, 2013)

Take a look at cost calculations for technical laboratory equipment including development, production, transport, warehousing and sale. Usually, you will find that in this branche there are really low costs for research and development, restruction and amorthilisation. In contrast, general expenses and costs for administartion, revenues, and sales are high. Lastly, financial profit is a big cost point cause businesses have to be self-financing. In general, these factors are making technical equipment for labs really expensive, and therefore unaffordable for low-budget instutions.

One of the world's biggest producers of laboratory products is [http://www.thermofisher.com/en/home.html Thermo Fisher Scientific]. They also offer photometers and other equipment. The image on the left side shows all costs and operating expenses listed in the [http://ir.thermofisher.com/investors/financial-information/annual-reports/default.aspx Annual Report 2013] from Thermo Fisher Scientific.


We follow a strategy to circumvent unnecessary costs for customers by realizing a social vision. In accordance with the principle of open source including both open hardware and open software, information where to get the necessary components, quantities, step-by-step technical construction manuals and circuit diagrams are published online for free. Potential customers can follow our provided instructions and acquire information from our Engineering page. Therefore, our profit is not of financial nature but is instead based on recognition and on motivating other iGEM teams and companies to spread the idea of open hardware, too. In accordance with the motto "Do It Yourself!" (DIY) we offer low-budget versions through reducing costs at as many points as possible, except for the basic costs for material. Customers with a little technical dexterity, motivation to try something new and who are keen to experiment can follow our step-by-step construction manual to create their own custom-made devices.

Aachen Social Vision.png
Social vision as economical strategy for creating access to low-budget technical equipment.

To make our product more user-friendly, we considered offering device kits. When offering kits customers do not have to order a lot of separate device parts from different suppliers. However, this introduces the disadvantage of a loss of flexibility. Yet it is very important to have the opportunity to modify the devices, for example, by choosing alternative parts or including add-ons, because research requiring novel techniques advances quickly in the natural sciences. With our concept, improvements and adjustments are thus immediately realizable.

Lastly, we want to mention that our vision is limited because it is incompatible with capitalism which rules the global market. Generally, companies are profit oriented and follow a different economical strategy than our iGEM team. As non-profit concept, our idea is therefore limited to a group of customers with lower budgets.


WatsOn

The measurement device WatsOn for our 2D biosensor has been designed according to our social vision. So far, we have not found comparable devices on the market. Here, we definitely take a pioneer role. Following our DIY concept, you can create your own WatsOn for just $310 using the given construction manual. All components for putting a WatsOn together are easily available all over the world using the following links.

All needed components, their quantities and prices for creating your own WatsOn

WatsOn 1€= $1.27 on 14/10/2014
Quantity Component Costs [€] Costs [$] Final [€] Final [$]
1 [http://www.prolighting.de/Zubehoer/Farbfilter/Lee-Filter_HT/Lee-Filters_Musterheft_Designer_Edition_i174_3965_0.htm filter slides] (medium yellow 010, sally green 505)1.572.001.572.00
1 [http://www.dx.com/p/uno-r3-development-board-microcontroller-mega328p-atmega16u2-compat-for-arduino-blue-black-215600 arduino UNO R3]9.1711.659.1711.65
1 [http://www.dx.com/p/arduino-2-channel-relay-shield-module-red-144140 2-channel relay shield]2.723.462.723.46
40jumper-wire cable2.352.992.352.99
1 [http://www.dx.com/p/2-54mm-1x40-pin-breakaway-straight-male-header-10-piece-pack-144191 40er male header (10-Piece Pack)]2.142.722.142.72
1 [http://www.dx.com/p/jtron-2-54mm-40-pin-single-row-seat-single-row-female-header-black-10-pcs-278953 40er female header (10-Piece Pack)]2.052.602.052.60
1 [http://www.dx.com/p/prototype-universal-printed-circuit-board-breadboard-brown-5-piece-pack-130926 circuit board]2.352.992.352.99
1 [http://www.newark.com/pro-signal/rp006/audio-video-cable-hdmi-1m-black/dp/96T7446 HDMI cable]1.471.871.471.87
1 [http://www.dx.com/p/hd-053-high-speed-usb-2-0-7-port-hub-black-174817 7 port USB hub]5.286.715.286.71
1[http://www.dx.com/p/dx-original-ultra-mini-usb-2-0-802-11n-b-g-150mbps-wi-fi-wlan-wireless-network-adapter-black-252716 USB WiFi stick]4.215.354.215.35
1USB mouse and keyboard9.8412.509.8412.50
1 [http://corporate.evonik.com/en/products/pages/default.aspx case acrylic glass XT 6mm~0.52]39.8850.6539.8850.65
1spray paint for acrylic glass5.156.545.156.54
1 [http://www.newark.com/raspberry-pi/raspberry-modb-512m/raspberry-pi-model-b-board/dp/68X0155 Raspberry Pi model B board]27.5635.0027.5635.00
1[http://www.newark.com/raspberry-pi/rpi-camera-board/add-on-brd-camera-module-raspberry/dp/69W0689 Raspberry Pi camera module]19.6925.0019.6925.00
1[http://www.pollin.de/shop/dt/NzUwOTc4OTk-/ 7” display]39.3549.9739.3549.97
1[http://www.dx.com/p/diy8-x-seven-segment-displays-module-for-arduino-595-driver-250813 8-segment display]3.043.863.043.86
2 [http://www.dx.com/p/arduino-dht11-digital-temperature-humidity-sensor-138531 digital temperature sensor DHT-22]5.917.5011.8215.00
1 aluminum block 100x100x15 mm11.2014.2311.2014.23
1 [http://www.dx.com/p/tec1-12706-semiconductor-thermoelectric-cooler-peltier-white-157283 Peltier heater 12V 60W]3.544.493.544.49
1power supply25.9032.8925.9032.89
6 [http://www.leds.de/Low-Mid-Power-LEDs/SuperFlux-LEDs/Nichia-Superflux-LED-blau-3lm-100-NSPBR70BSS.html superflux LED 480 nm]0.991.265.947.54
16LED 450 nm0.370.475.947.54
2 Resistor 40 Ohm0.120.150.240.30
4 Resistor 100 Ohm0.120.150.480.60
1cupboard button0.981.240.981.24
-Total--243.88309.70

Such low prices in combination with the DIY concept opens a grand new customer market and lets our device compete with commercially available products. Especially in developing counties our WatsOn could help improve health infrastructure since high cost are eliminated as an obstacle. The low material costs and the high technical flexibility turn WatsOn into an adequate device for developing countries, community labs and the biohacking scene. Particularly for developing countries, such a low-budget device poses a good alternative to regular devices for detecting pathogens and other bacteria. With our device, we create access to modern technology and working methods for everybody.

Aachen Team WatsOn 3.png
WatsOn's self-made concept makes it available for low budged institutions

For WatsOn, we offer both the construction manual and the image processing software Measurarty. Since we do not offer everything in one kit, it is possible for the user to modify the device and software according to personal needs such as adjusting the range od detectable microorganisms. By engineering the Cellocks detection of other pathogens is theoretically possible. However, please always mind the respective safety aspects when dealing with GMOs and human pathogens. Moverover, it is possible to detect not just the fluorescence of GFP and iLOV. Just by changing the filters and/or LEDs, the device can be modified such that the fluorescence other regularly used reporter proteins like YFP, CFP or RFP can be detected.


OD/F Device

One of our greater visions we share with the synthetic biology community is that everyone interested in biological work should have access to basic laboratory equipment. With our OD/F Device, we offer a low-cost solution for community labs, biohackers and high schools.

Netdiagramm ODF Device.png
Advantages and disadvantes of our OD/F Device compared to commercially available devices
We compared the devices in portability, affordability, reliability, user-friendliness, capabilities, precision and accuracy.

For an economic analysis, we deal with F Device and the OD Device separately. The reason for this is the bad comparability to commercial devices. Latter do not combine the measurument of fluorescence and OD while being in the same product class of small, portable devices. With our OD/F Device, we offer a solution to combine both measurement methods in one mobile device. With the instructions provided by us it possible to either build an OD Device or an F Device or an OD/F Device. We are offering a high degree of flexibility by enabling the user to modify our device according to own ideas and wishes.

Both portability and low cost are two out of several factors that we heavily place importance on. Commercially obtainable spectrophotometers like [http://www.opticsplanet.com/unico-model-s-1205-spectrophotometer-5-nm-bandpass.html UNICO S-1205], for example, cost $1.250 or more, and can measure optical density only. On top of that, they are heavy, hardly portable and therefore not easy to handle. However, they are able to work with a broader range of wavelengths and show higher accuracy and precision. For measuring fluorescence, devices such as [http://www.moleculardevices.com/systems/microplate-readers/fluorescent-readers/gemini-xps plate readers] are available. Yet comparing a commercial device with our F Device is really difficult because we could not find one that is both portable and able to measure at 480 nm.

To compare our device to another commercially availalbe system we chose the OD-meter [http://www.laboratory-equipment.com/laboratory-equipment/cell-density-meter.php CO 8000]. This device measures the OD at 600 nm, too, but costs almost $920. Our OD/F Device can measure OD as well as fluorescence for less than $60 as shown in the chart on the left. The cost savings here are round about $850, money that could definetly be invested into other research projects or equipment instead. Nonetheless, one weakness of our device is the low reliability compared to commercial devices. This is due to use of low cost materials. Prices are given in both Euro and US-Dollar for better accountability and easy conversion.

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

To build your own OD/F Device, all you have to do is order the required parts listed above, invest some time and have a little technical dexterity. This DIY aspect could also have a positive learning effect, for example, for students in schools, universities and other educational institutions.

Team Aachen OD F device.png
Possible application of our OD/F device

In our cooperations with the Kaiser-Karls-Gymnasium and with NEAnderLab, one of our target groups already gathered first experience using our OD/F Device. This proves that our device is suitable for school everday life. When working with the schools, we got a lot of positive feedback from the instructors as well as the students.

In summary, in our OD/F Device, we see a piece of equipment to measure OD and fluorescence, two quantities regularly used in biology, that is open source and perfectly fit for low-budget instutions such as schools, universities, community labs and the biohacking scene.


References

Annual report. (2013). Thermo Fisher Scientific. Available at http://ir.thermofisher.com/investors/financial-information/annual-reports/default.aspx.