Project:Biohardware

It's becoming pretty obvious that the basic molecular biology workflow requires some equipment that is not typically available from the local supermarket, and that having and understanding the right tools really makes a difference in molecular biology and experimental science.

The biohardware group is a subset of the biohackers with those members who focus on building, repairing and understanding biohacking hardware.

A list of current projects are

OD600 handheld unit

This is a project to create a cheap hand held unit to determine the OD600 level of a biological sample. Typically this is used for determining mid-log phase of bacterial growth in molecular biology.

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I'd also like to resin cast some calibration blocks, so I can compare between equipment in a standard way;

http://www.myfluxcapacitor.com/plastic-resin-casting-guide

bio-rpi-plug

This is a project based on the rpi-plug platform (raspberry Pi model B+) to add a CO2, humidity, oxygen, CO, NO sensors to a pi based sensor unit

Algae Illuminator Lamp

Bio luminescent algeo require a "training" cycle of 12 hours of darkness, followed by 12 hours of light. They will then produce the maximum light output when agitated when in their "night time" phase. This is a device to optimally illuminate a flask of dinoflaggelates using an arduino controlled led lamp array.

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Biobot data logger and IRC bot

Biobot is a raspberry pi based data logger and IRC bot.

you can talk to it in #london-biohackers on freenode

http://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=london-biohackers

Automated Pipettor for robot arm

The hackspace has a staubli robot arm. This is a project to create a automated pipettor driven by a stepper motor

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We have some components that can be used to improve this

Biohacker microscope

This is a project to create a cheap mount for mobile phone cameras, and to transmit the live image using an android app to a desktop computer;

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Inverted microscope

A proof of concept of a cheap researcher microscope in an inverted configuration using a makerbeam frame system;

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Nasal flow data logger

A simple device to measure the relative left/right nasal flow using an arduino and differential air pressure component.

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Shaker Platform

many techniques for culturing microbes benefit from continuous agitation. This is a project to build a shaker platform out of readily available parts and drive the mechanism using the plate turner in a microwave over.

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