▸ Movies

We developed a synthetic, fully genetically encoded cell-cell adhesion toolbox for bacteria. These adhesins are also compatible with cell division and growth as the movie demonstrates. (see Glass et al. Cell 2018)

We discovered a new microswimmer behavior where Euglena moves in polygons. The paper describes the underlying biophysics and utility for phototaxis perpendicular to the light vector in order to navigate light gradients, edges, and more. (see Tsang et al. Nature Physics 2018)

We developed Biofilm Lithography, a method to deposite bacteria onto surfaces using images of light projected onto them. We engineering e.coli to express cell-cell adhesion / biofilm protein Ag43 by driving it with the light-sensitive promotor pDawn. This method has the benefit of speed, simplicity, high resolution (25 um) and compatibility with a variety of surface environments including closed microfluidic devices. (see Jin et al. PNAS 2018 )

We developed Lego-based pipetting robots that reliably handle liquid volumes from one ml down to the sub-μl range and that operate on standard laboratory plasticware such as cuvettes and multi-well plates. We successfully tested these activities in afterschool settings with elementary, middle, and high school learners. The simplest robot can be directly built from the widely-used Lego Education EV3 core set alone. (see Gerber et al. 2017 paper)

We developed a real-time interactive, fully automated, low-cost (<1ct/experiment) and scalable (>10^6 experiments/year) biology cloud experimentation platform to provide access to scientific experimentation for learners and researchers alike (see Nat Biotech paper). User can ran phototaxis experiments with Euglena cells; the platform is tested and deployed in various educational settings.

An example of the modeling interface that enables students to explore the biophysics of Euglena phototaxis (see Nat Biotech paper).

Our LudusScope project - a cell-phone microscope that is educational by enabling self-building, inquiry, and play. This device turns observational microscopy into an interactive experience as it allows to stimulate motile cells in realtime with light via a joystick. Instructions are in the paper.

Our first biology cloud lab that enables multiple students in parallel to execute biology experiments over the web. We used this lab during a biophysics class, where students investigated the chemical responses of physarum. And the best thing: The robot is made from LEGO mindstorms - so build a cloud lab yourself! Instructions are in the paper.

We developed "TrapIt!" - and interactive system that enables the playful interaction with Euglena via artistic drawing on a touchscreen. Multiple museum studies demonstrated it's potential for informal science education.

A forerunner of our "trapIt!" system. In this paper we explored a much more zoomed out interaction with Euglena, providing a first hand experience on their collective behavior.

A talk Ingmar gave in 2015 which captures our achievements and future visions in the fields of Interactive Biotechnology/ Human Biology Interaction.

Our first demonstration of ‘biotic games’, i.e., games that require biological process to run - and enable humans to interact with microscopic organisms (Riedel-Kruse et al. Lab Chip).