An open-source experimental framework for automation of cell biology experiments

Modern data analysis methods, such as deep learning, have been successfully applied to a number of biological and medical questions. For these methods to be efficient, a large number of high quality experiments need to be conducted, which requires a high degree of automation. Here we report an open-source hardware that allows for automatic high-throughput generation of large amounts of biological data. The hardware consists of an automatic XY-stage for moving multiwell plates containing growing cells; a perfusion manifold allowing application (perfusion) of up to 8 different solutions; and a small epifluorescent microscope. It is extremely cheap (£300 without and £2500 with a fluorescent microscope) and can be quickly customised for individual experimental needs.