i-Diagnostics Development Tool: the Ultimate TIRF Microscopy Station
uTIRF turnkey microscopy station is the main development tool for i-Diagnostics project. uTIRF is a versatile system, which is designed for performing the entire range of functions – from the single molecule biology mechanism studies, biomarker discovery, rapid drug screening using real-time TIRF microarrays, assay development tasks – to calibration and validation of diagnostic microarrays. We envision that uTIRF will be used by thousands of research groups worldwide. At the present time, TIRF Labs supplies i-Diagnostics application development tools as analytical-grade instruments. We received several hundred of requests, but only a few groups are currently using them because of the cost. We pledge to make i-Diagnostics an Open Source Platform and the development tools affordable to thousands of research groups, so that numerous independent experts worldwide can develop their applications and naturally create the envisioned infrastructure based on the intelligence of the global network of scientists, medical doctors, and other users. We are creating an independent intelligence unit to coordinate these efforts and inquire The Giving Pledge members and other philanthropists to support this project, to make precision diagnostics available for all, and help humanity to mitigate the risks of emergence and outbreaks of diseases.
uTIRF turnkey station consists of prism-, lightguide-, and objective-based TIRF, infinity objective 4X, 20X, 40X, 60X, or 100X, low light CMOS camera, and a multicolor fiber-coupled illuminator. uTIRF is available in several configurations with open perfusion and closed flow chambers, optional electrochemical and dielectrophoretic control. The station also supports the method of Electro-Chemi-Luminescence (ECL), which is currently widely used for molecular diagnostics. Prism-, lightguide-, and objective-TIRF units can be taken from uTIRF to be used as add-on accessories for fluorescence microscopes. Inquire about other options: info@TIRF Labs.com.
| Geometry | Pros | Cons |
| Prism-TIRF | The cleanest TIRF effect – stray light<0.01%. Can be used with dry, water-, and oil-immersion objectives. | No open perfusion for prism-down geometry. |
| Lightguide- TIRF | Clean TIRF effect – stray light <0.1%. Can be used with dry, water-, and oil-immersion objectives. | TIRF area needs to be aligned with the objective. |
| Objective- TIRF | TIRF area stays with the objective. | Evanescent wave contaminated by 10-15% of stray light. |
