openSIMMO - Open-Source Structured Illumination Microscopy for Accessible Super-Resolution Imaging

Structured Illumination Microscopy (SIM) is a powerful super-resolution technique that enhances spatial resolution while remaining compatible with live-cell imaging. However, commercial SIM systems are often expensive and difficult to implement, limiting their accessibility for many research laboratories.

openSIMMO is an Open Structured Illumination Microscopy Module that addresses this challenge by providing a low-cost, open-source SIM platform that can be integrated into existing fluorescence microscopes. The system combines a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD)-based illumination module with open-source control and reconstruction software, enabling automated multi-colour super-resolution imaging using affordable and readily available components.

Integrated with the ImSwitch microscopy control interface, openSIMMO supports synchronized hardware control, automated image acquisition, and real-time SIM reconstruction. The platform achieves approximately 1.5-fold resolution enhancement compared to conventional widefield microscopy and has been validated in both fixed and live-cell imaging experiments.

By openly sharing hardware designs, software, and documentation, openSIMMO lowers the barriers to advanced fluorescence imaging and promotes reproducible, accessible, and community-driven microscopy research. It represents an important step toward democratizing super-resolution microscopy for laboratories worldwide.

Selected References

Wang, H., Brown, P.T., Ullom, J. et al. Fully automated multicolour structured illumination module for super-resolution microscopy with two excitation colours. Commun Eng 4, 42 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-025-00365-x
https://opensimmo.github.io/