A cheap wood jigsaw from a hardware store can be turned into a high-powered lab tool that prepares plant samples for 100 times less than the usual cost.
Extracting DNA and proteins from tough plant tissue usually requires expensive laboratory homogenizers that cost thousands of dollars. Researchers designed a 3D-printable adapter that attaches a standard jigsaw to common lab tubes. This Fast-lyzer setup can process dozens of samples at once with the same precision as professional equipment. This invention makes advanced genetic research possible for schools and small labs with limited budgets. It demonstrates how simple mechanical hacks can bypass the high entry costs of modern biotechnology.
“Fast-lyzer”: A low-cost 3D printable device for plant tissue disruption and homogenization
research_square · rs-9440300
Abstract Background: Sample disruption and homogenization are critical steps in numerous biological extraction procedures (i.e., DNA, RNA, or protein isolation). These steps are often performed manually which can yield highly variable results depending on operator expertise. Several companies offer dedicated tissue-processing machines that enable high reproducibility and high-throughput sample preparation using various bead types and shaking mechanisms. However, the high cost of this equipment m