Fluorescence microscopy is an extremely powerful and versatile technique contributing to many areas of the life sciences. Especially variants featuring the ability to monitor single-molecule fluorescence, however, require sophisticated instrumentation that is either very expensive when bought commercially (>> 100 kEuro) or demands extensive expertise in optics and engineering.

Here we present an open and modular hardware framework aiming for:

• cost effectiveness: build your own starting at 20k Euro (~100k Euro for state of the art capabilities)
• modularity: all parts can be accessed and replaced by the user
• simplicity: set up the microscope in a few hours without prior knowledge
• customizability: confocal or widefield/TIRF microscopy,…
• openness: part lists and drawings will be made available
• stability and throughput: minimizing drift and utilise well plate scanners