Laboratory capacity building and the open hardware movement | Somatosphere

"It is evident that new models for resourcing laboratories need to be identified. In particular, models are required that do not perpetuate dependencies or make LMIC laboratories the dumping ground for the old equipment of the Global North. The picture above shows a OpenPCR machine made using the designs freely available online. This is an example of a rapidly growing community dedicated to finding ways to making laboratory equipment in situ. In so doing, the Open Hardware community is beginning to challenge the hegemony of commercial, proprietary laboratory equipment. By creating an open, online community that freely shares designs and expertise, this community is demonstrating how a wide range of laboratory equipment can be made using crowdsourced knowledge, and locally sourced hardware. Such homemade equipment tends to be far cheaper than commercial alternatives, and repairable using locally-sourced hardware."