Design of a Low-Cost Phone-Based Fluorescence Microscope Incorporating the Photoacoustic Effect to Modify Fluorescence of Planarian Toxicity Fluorescent Assay- Induced Dugesia tigrina

Overview

Fluorescence microscopes are pivotal components of scientific research. However, high costs and photobleaching of specimens over long exposure periods hinder scientific progress, producing malignant data and limiting research accessibility. This research a imed to solve these issues by designing a phone -based fluorescence microscope incorporating the photoacoustic effect. This effect states that tissue exposed to pulsed light absorbs the light’s energy, rises in temperature, thermally expands, and produces a coustic waves. This approach was taken because a smartphone dramatically reduces the cost of the device and the photoacoustic effect’s expansion may improve specimen fluorescence. This device consisted of a 3D printed frame and parts, an objective lens, tu be lens, and breadboard circuit with LED lights and an Arduino Uno. The prototype was tested using Dugesia tigrina by calculating each specimen’s corrected total cell fluorescence (CTCF) when treated with a planarian toxicity fluorescence assay. This assay was performed by exposing organisms to an antiseptic solution, then to the fluorescent dye sodium fluorescein, and then viewing them under the prototype before and after a five -minute period with and without the photoacoustic effect. It was found that the prototype achieved its goal by preventing photobleaching, but a two -way repeated measures ANOVA reported that the presence of the photoacoustic effect, photobleaching, and their interaction had no significant effect on CTCF at an alpha value of 0.05 (F(1,29) = [2.427], F(1,29) = [.020], F(1,29) = [.954]). However, the η p2 of the photoacoustic effect revealed that this played a moderate role in data variance. The Use of Metabolomics with Regards to Hypothyroidism and Potential Applications in Treatment and Diagnosis: A Meta-analysis Morgan Kay Riverside High School, Greer, SC This study hoped to shed light on the use of metabolomics to identify biomarkers of hypothyroidism. Thus, the review focused on compiling data that correlates metabolites with hypothyroidism to determine how metabolites differ between euthyroid and hypothy roid states. It was hypothesized strong correlations would be shown between some metabolites and hypothyroidism, denoting them as biomarkers that could be used in diagnosis and treatment. A total of nine studies were included and 291 metabolites were ident ified. The included articles represented several populations, with studies taking place in Europe, China, and Egypt. Almost all studies had a robust sample size and focused on different groups of metabolites, which helps paint a broader picture of the whol e metabolism. Ultimately, one of the studies skewed results toward a strong positive correlation, and thus synthesis results were presented including and excluding this study. When excluded, the mean odds ratio was 1.533, which indicates a very weak positive association. This means that most metabolites do not show significant changes between hypothyroidism and euthyroid states; however, some individual metabolites showed significant changes and are thus biomarkers that could be used to improve the treatmen t and diagnosis of hypothyroidism. It is imperative further research be conducted utilizing metabolomics in conjunction with hypothyroidism to identify more biomarkers. Moreover, future research might couple these findings with machine learning to craft prediction models, simplifying diagnosis and treatment plans. Additionally, metabolomics might provide insight as to why hypothyroidism symptoms persist after normal thyroid hormone levels have been reached.

Competition history

• JSHS 2025 Category not listed

Resources

• National JSHS abstract book ↗

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