RAP-Microscope-Precision Focusing Mechanism
Problem statement
Despite the significant potential of McGill University’s Random Access Parallel (RAP) microscope to revolutionize high-throughput imaging and make it accessible to under-resourced labs, its current design is limited by the use of low-magnification lenses that avoid the need for precise individual focusing. While this configuration works well for basic imaging tasks, it fails in advanced studies that need better light collection and higher magnification, as there is no mechanism for precise, independent lens adjustment. This limitation restricts researchers from optimizing imaging conditions for high-resolution imaging. Although other low-cost microscopes exist [1], they do not focus on high-throughput imaging which is the main focus of Gil Bub’s lab. The Badger Focus team will develop and build a mechanical system capable of moving each lens vertically with high precision and rigidity, thereby expanding the microscope’s versatility for biological investigations with a low cost of entry.
[1]
C. Ravikanth et al., ’14 – Development of a novel low-cost multimodal microscope for food and biological applications,’ in Advanced Methods in Biomedical Signal Processing and Analysis, K. Pal, S. Ari, A. Bit, and S. Bhattacharyya, Eds., Academic Press, 2023, pp. 375-405. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-323-85955-4.00016-8.
Team members
Calvin Greene – admin
Michael Grose – communicator
Matthew Rizzardi – facilitator
Ty Seefeldt – accountant
Client
Gil Bub
McGill University – Physiology