First, I would like to extend Nano-J Fluidics (NJF) for our own Multi-Modal Imaging experiments, some of which require both pumps and valves. This should be relatively easy to achieve.
Way down the line, I see NJF as a viable solution to using Micro-Manager to control High-Content Screening (HCS) systems that combine microscopy and fluidics (such as the BDPathway 855 or the Cellomics ArrayScan). For now, there is the HCS Site Generator plugin for multiwell plate imaging, but no plugin for liquid dispensing.
These steps (I think) will let me write NJF protocols that interact with pumps and valves, and then later, let me use NJF with pumps and valves registered as Micro-Manager devices through the Harware Configuration Wizard.
- Add the concept of valves (TODO refactor Pump to be called fluidicsDevice first)
- Support multiple devices or hubs in NJF
- Decouple pump devices defined in NJF and add them to Micro-Manager as a new type of base class fluidics device (sort of like a z-stage + current, max and dead (?) volume).
- Create some demo Micro-Manager device adapters as a proof of concept
- Create a Hamilton pump device adapter, possibly for the Microlab 500 manual using Protocol 1/RNO+
- Extend the existing Hamilton MVP device adapter (which also uses Protocol 1/RNO+) to control daisy chains of both valves and pumps (up to 16 individual elements)
- Add wrapper functions in the JAVA / Python SWIG interfaces to access the fluidics devices from JAVA/Python/Beanshell with simplified commands
- Update NanoJ Fluidics to use these commands
Note: visit the Wiki or Forum for latest updates.
NanoJ-Fluidics is an open-source device, composed of easily accessible LEGO-parts, electronics and labware. It is designed to automate and simplify fluid exchange experiments in microscopy. Check the paper in Nature Communications: Automating multimodal microscopy with NanoJ-Fluidics.
- LEGO-based, multiplexable and compact syringe pumps
- A simple "hack" to enable liquid exchange on cell culture dishes
- And a comprehensive electronic and software control suite to control the pumps.
This Wiki provides all the information necessary for researchers to reproduce their own systems and start performing fluidic experiments on their microscopes.
NanoJ-Fluidics is developed in a collaboration between the Henriques and Leterrier laboratories.
NanoJ-Fluidics is developed in a collaboration between the Henriques and Leterrier laboratories, with contributions from the community:
- Matthew Meyer (La Jolla Institute of Allergy & Immunology's Microscopy Core): 3D printed syringe pump body, v-slot adaptor, other parts (see section).
- Leo Saunders (University of Colorado Denver): 3D printed syringe pump body (see section).