BioBits™ Bright: A fluorescent synthetic biology education kit

Sci Adv. 2018 Aug 1;4(8):eaat5107. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aat5107. eCollection 2018 Aug.

Abstract

Synthetic biology offers opportunities for experiential educational activities at the intersection of the life sciences, engineering, and design. However, implementation of hands-on biology activities in classrooms is challenging because of the need for specialized equipment and expertise to grow living cells. We present BioBits™ Bright, a shelf-stable, just-add-water synthetic biology education kit with easy visual outputs enabled by expression of fluorescent proteins in freeze-dried, cell-free reactions. We introduce activities and supporting curricula for teaching the central dogma, tunable protein expression, and design-build-test cycles and report data generated by K-12 teachers and students. We also develop inexpensive incubators and imagers, resulting in a comprehensive kit costing <US$100 per 30-person classroom. The user-friendly resources of this kit promise to enhance biology education both inside and outside the classroom.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Cell Physiological Phenomena*
  • Genes, Synthetic*
  • Luminescent Proteins / metabolism*
  • Synthetic Biology / education*
  • Teaching*

Substances

  • Luminescent Proteins