ThermoCyte: an inexpensive open-source temperature control system for in vitro live cell imaging

Live-cell imaging is a common technique in microscopy to investigate
dynamic cellular behaviour and permits the accurate and relevant analysis
of a wide range of cellular and tissue parameters, such as motility, cell
division, wound healing responses, and calcium (Ca2+) signalling in cell
lines, primary cell cultures, and ex vivo preparations. Furthermore, this
can take place under many experimental conditions, making live-cell
imaging indispensable for biological research. Systems which maintain
cells at physiological conditions outside of a CO2 incubator are often
bulky, expensive, and use proprietary components. Here we present an
inexpensive, open-source temperature control system for in vitro live cell
imaging. Our system ‘ThermoCyte’, which is constructed from standard
electronic components, enables precise tuning, control, and logging of a
temperature ‘set point’ for imaging cells at physiological temperature. We
achieved stable thermal dynamics, with reliable temperature cycling and a
standard deviation of 0.42°C over 1 hour. Furthermore, the device is
modular in nature, and is adaptable to the researcher's specific
needs. This represents simple, inexpensive, and reliable tool for
laboratories to carry out custom live-cell imaging protocols, on a
standard lab bench, at physiological temperature.