This outreach project was created by the Lu Lab in the bioengineering department at Rice University. We are a team of researchers who use synthetic biology, protein engineering, and material science to make solutions for both industrial and medical problems.

1 - Alginate

2wt% Polmer

1 -Crosslink

5M CaCl2

50X Concentrate

1 -Grow

5M CaCl2

50X Concentrate

2 - Pipettes

1 - Jar

1 -Anabaena

*per classroom

Not Included: gloves, filtered water, waste container

Step 1

Prepare

Mix alginate with cyanobacteria culture to prepare bead solution

Step 2

Prepare Cross-linking Solution

Prepare the cross-linking solution by combining fresh water and 50X concentrated cross-linking solution

Step 3

Drop the Beads

Drop the BuoyBeads in the cross-linking solution.

Step 4

Drain + Wash

Drain the cross-linking solution into the waste container and suction off the remaining liquid with the pipette, add water, then shake. Repeat.

Step 5

Add BG11

First, add freshwater to the fill line. Next at the BG11 growth media, cap and shake.

Step 6

Grow

Be sure to loosely place the lid on the jar. Watch the beads grow over time.

We are seeking teachers to participate in our outreach study, evaluating our kit in middle school and high school classrooms.

You will receive a free classroom kit of BuoyBeads and related curriculum content.

Please contact us if you are interested.

epc2@rice.edu

www.buoybead.com