Evidence map›Paper›PMID 33997359›Full record

ArticleSynthetic and systems biotechnology2021

The Fold-Illuminator: A low-cost, portable, and disposable incubator-illuminator device.

Logan R Burrington, Emran Baryal, Katherine Hui, Emmett Lambert, Sarah T Harding, Javin P Oza

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Synthetic and systems biotechnology, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
0.7field-weighted citation impact, top 35% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 8 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
  2. Characterizing and Improving pET Vectors for Cell-free Expression.Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology · 2022
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.

Logan R BurringtonChemistry and Biochemistry Department, College of Science and Math, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93407, USA.
Emran BaryalMechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93407, USA.
Katherine HuiMechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93407, USA.
Emmett LambertMechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93407, USA.
Sarah T HardingMechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93407, USA.
Javin P OzaChemistry and Biochemistry Department, College of Science and Math, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93407, USA.
California Polytechnic State University · US

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Fluorescent reporters have revolutionized modern applications in the fields of molecular and synthetic biology, enabling applications ranging from education to point-of-care diagnostics. Past advancements in these fields have primarily focused on improving reaction conditions, the development of new applications, and the broad dissemination of these technologies. However, field and classroom-based applications have remained limited in part due to the nature of fluorescent signal detection, which often requires the use of costly lab equipment to observe and quantify fluorescence readouts. Users without access to laboratory equipment rely on qualitative assessments of fluorescence, a process that remains highly variable from user-to-user even within the same classroom. To overcome this challenge, we have developed a foldable illuminator and incubator device to support field-applications of synthetic biology-based biosensors for education and diagnostics. The Fold-Illuminator is an affordable, portable, and recyclable device that allows for the visible detection of fluorescent biomolecules. The Fold-Illuminator's design allows for assembly in under 10 min, a user can then utilize the optional heating element to incubate biochemical reactions and visualize fluorescence outputs in a defined and light-controlled environment. Interchangeable LED strips and light-filtering screens provide modularity to pair with the fluorescence wavelengths of interest. The user can then unfold the device for convenient storage, transport, or even recycling. The cost for the Fold-Illuminator is $5.58 USD and is compatible with an optional heating element for an additional $3.98 cost, with potential for further reductions in cost for larger quantities. Open-source templates for cutting device parts from paper stock are provided for both printing and cutting by hand; cutting can also be achieved with consumer-grade smart cutting machines such as the Cricut®. Combined with the broad applications of fluorescent reporters, the Fold-Illuminator has the potential to improve access to fluorescence visualization and quantification for new users as well as emerging field applications.

Indexed as

DiagnosticsEducationFluorescent reporterFrugal scienceIlluminatorIncubator

Identifiers

PMID33997359
PMCPMC8099501
OpenAlexW3163338520

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.