DIYNAFLUOR

The DIYNAFLUOR (DIY Nucleic Acid FLUORometer) is a $40 USD, open source, 3D printed, solder-free, portable, robust, DNA Fluorometer YOU can build!

Our Preprint is now available! (see https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.12.16.626200v1)

The DIYNAFLUOR is designed to work with commercial and custom fluorescent DNA quantification kits, enabling measurements of nano-microgram levels of DNA.

Focusing on QCing Nanopore sequencing libraries, The DIYNAFLUOR aims to help remove barriers to genomic analysis (e.g., metagenomic sequencing) in resource limited settings.

Build your own

Quick Guide:

How to build a DIYNAFLUOR:

1. Buy the parts listed in the Bill of Materials (BOM). (DIYNAFLUOR BOM.xlsx)
2. 3D Print the provided .stl files in a matte black PLA. (3D Printing Files.zip)
3. Assemble the DIYNAFLUOR. (Build Instructions.pdf)
4. Flash the Arduino Uno and Install the GUI Software. (DIYNAFLUOR.ino), (DIYNAFLUOR.exe)
5. Verify the performance of the device.

Detailed Guide:

Sourcing Parts

We provide a BoM with links to suppliers for all parts. (see DIYNAFLUOR BOM.xlsx)

3D Print the custom parts

3D Print files are provided as .stl for 3D printing and .step for editing if needed. (see 3D Printing Files.zip)

Printing can be accomplished on low-cost desktop 3D printers, such as the Creality Ender 3 or the Bambu Lab A1.

Build your DIYNAFLUOR

To help researchers/teachers/students from all backgrounds, we have written a detailed Build Instructions manual (see Build Instructions.pdf) that contains information on the DIYNAFLUOR’s operating principle, guidance for 3D printing parts, step-by-step build instructions, software installation guidance, and a verification protocol to make sure your DIYNAFLUOR is working as intended. Depending on your printer, this entire process can be accomplished in as little as 6-hours.*

*3D printing of all parts on a Bambu Lab A1 was able to be accomplished in ~4 hour, with construction and verification taking about 2 hours.

Install the Software

The DIYNAFLUOR is controlled by a low-cost Arduino Uno (or clone). Use the Arduino IDE to flash the custom firmware. (see DIYNAFLUOR.ino)

We have also developed a Windows 10/11 and MacOS Apple Silicon Graphical User Interface (GUI) that provides visualisation and recording of fluorescent measurements (as .csv files), as well as features like a 2-Point Calibration methodology for commercial DNA quantitation kits, and a Fluorometer mode that allows measurements at variable output LED excitation intensities. (see our release page) for the current versions of the DIYNAFLUOR software.

Verify the performance of your DIYNAFLUOR

We have developed a simple verification assay using commercial fluorescent DNA quantification kits to assess if your DIYNAFLUOR is working as expected. (see Build Instructions.pdf)

<img width="650" alt="image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/904aeb77-8dbe-44eb-bcb3-1c4efc1ac50f">

Make Low-Cost DNA Measurements

Designed for STEM Educators - Quantify DNA concentrations between 0–10 ng/μL using the popular SYBR® Safe gel stain, for only $0.12 USD per measurement. (See Protocol for Low-Cost DNA Quantification Assay.pdf)

Customize it

The default DIYNAFLUOR is designed to work with fluorophores with excitation and emission maximums of ~470ex/520em. Want to measure something else? Simply swap out the LED, and excitation and emission filters for your custom fluorophore. We would love to hear how your custom build goes!

To learn more

More details about the DIYNAFLUOR and its performance can be found in our Preprint. (See https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.12.16.626200v1).

Questions? Comments? Mistakes in the documents? 😅 Post a comment in the "Issues" section or contact lead author, Will Anderson (w.anderson1@uq.edu.au).

Contributors

Everyone who made this project possible! (See Contributors.txt)

License

This project is licensed under the GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 3 (See LICENSE)