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.

This group focuses on building, repairing and using 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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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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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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