Revolutionizing biology education through safe, hands-on experiments with freeze-dried cell-free technology
Safe for classroom use
For 30 students
See, smell, and touch biology
For generations, students have learned about biology primarily through textbooks and diagrams, often struggling to grasp the dynamic molecular processes that form the foundation of life. Meanwhile, the field of synthetic biology—where scientists engineer biological systems to perform new functions—has emerged as one of the most transformative technologies of our century 1 . Yet, bringing hands-on experiments into classrooms has remained challenging due to the need for expensive laboratory equipment, specialized expertise, and concerns about working with live cells 1 2 .
"Synthetic biology is going to be one of the defining technologies of the century, and yet it has been challenging to teach the fundamental concepts of the field in K-12 classrooms."
This educational gap has now been bridged by BioBits™ Explorer, an innovative educational kit that introduces students to synthetic biology through safe, simple, and engaging experiments. Developed through a collaboration between Northwestern University, MIT, and the Wyss Institute at Harvard University, these kits use freeze-dried, cell-free (FD-CF) reactions to allow students to see, smell, and touch the outcomes of molecular biology in their classrooms 1 . At a cost of less than $100 for a 30-person classroom, BioBits Explorer promises to transform how we teach biology by making cutting-edge science accessible to everyone 3 .
Traditional synthetic biology involves engineering living cells, typically E. coli bacteria, to produce specific proteins. This process requires keeping the bacteria alive and contained throughout the experiment, necessitating incubators, sterile equipment, and significant expertise 1 2 . BioBits Explorer eliminates these complications through a revolutionary approach called cell-free protein synthesis.
"You can think of it like opening the hood of a car and taking the engine out: we've taken the 'engine' that drives protein production out of a bacterial cell and given it the fuel it needs, including ribosomes and amino acids, to create proteins from DNA outside of the bacteria itself."
This collection of molecular machinery is freeze-dried into pellets that remain stable at room temperature for over a year 3 . To initiate protein production, students simply add water and DNA templates to the pellets—no living cells required 1 . This breakthrough not only makes experiments safer and simpler but also dramatically reduces costs, removing the primary barriers to hands-on molecular biology education 7 .
BioBits Explorer introduces several fundamental biological concepts through tangible experiments:
BioBits Explorer engages multiple senses to make abstract biological concepts tangible. The kit contains three primary types of experiments, each designed with simple, observable outputs.
One of the most captivating experiments in the BioBits Explorer kit uses a special type of RNA sensor called a "toehold switch" to detect specific DNA sequences from fruits like bananas and kiwis 1 2 .
Students extract DNA from a banana or kiwi using simple household items.
The fruit DNA is added to FD-CF pellets containing hairpin-shaped RNA sensors designed by the researchers.
The mixture is placed in an inexpensive incubator (approximately $30) or left at room temperature for several hours.
The toehold switch sensors are engineered RNA molecules that remain closed until they bind to a specific "trigger" RNA sequence. When the sensor encounters the target RNA from the fruit DNA, it springs open and reveals a genetic sequence that produces a fluorescent protein. Each sensor is designed to respond only to a specific fruit's RNA, teaching students about molecular recognition and specificity 1 .
In this experiment, students witness enzyme activity through the production of a familiar fragrance.
Students add water to FD-CF pellets containing a specific gene.
The reaction is left for several hours at room temperature or in a simple incubator.
This experiment demonstrates how genes code for enzymes that perform specific chemical transformations, making the connection between genetic information and tangible outcomes literally unforgettable.
The third key experiment lets students feel the results of biological processes through the formation of a hydrogel.
FD-CF reactions containing a gene for the enzyme sortase are hydrated with water.
After several hours, the enzyme recognizes and links specific protein segments in the solution.
This experiment introduces the concept of biomaterials and how biological systems can create physical structures with defined properties. Students directly experience how protein interactions can lead to macroscopic material properties changes.
The development of BioBits Explorer required significant optimization of biological components to work effectively in cell-free systems. Researchers tested a library of 13 fluorescent proteins with different colors and properties to identify the best candidates for educational use 3 .
| Protein | Color | Excitation (nm) | Emission (nm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| mCherry | Red | 587 | 610 |
| mRFP1 | Red | 584 | 607 |
| dTomato | Orange | 554 | 581 |
| mOrange | Orange | 548 | 562 |
| YPet | Yellow | 517 | 530 |
| sfGFP | Green | 485 | 528 |
| mTFP1 | Cyan | 462 | 492 |
| mTagBFP2 | Blue | 399 | 454 |
Six of these proteins (mCherry, mRFP1, dTomato, mOrange, YPet, and sfGFP) were selected for the final kits based on their high expression yields (≥600 μg ml⁻¹) and distinct colors visible to the naked eye 3 .
The BioBits team rigorously tested their kits in real educational settings, partnering with the Chicago Public School system. Both teachers and students successfully performed the experiments with results comparable to those obtained by trained synthetic biology researchers 1 .
| Experiment Type | Success Rate | Key Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Fluorescent Protein Expression |
|
Central dogma, tunable protein expression |
| Scent Production |
|
Enzyme function, metabolic pathways |
| Hydrogel Formation |
|
Biomaterials, protein engineering |
| Fruit DNA Detection |
|
Biosensors, genetic circuits |
"My hope is that they will inspire more kids to consider a career in STEM and, more generally, give all students a basic understanding of how biology works."
Feedback from educators has been overwhelmingly positive. Thomas Martinez, a teacher at Glenbard East High School, reported using BioBits with his after-school biology club to enable "student-driven, hands-on biology projects" 4 .
BioBits Explorer works through carefully designed biological components that function together in the cell-free system.
| Component | Function | Educational Concept |
|---|---|---|
| Freeze-Dried Cell-Free (FD-CF) Pellet | Contains cellular machinery for protein synthesis (ribosomes, amino acids, transcription/translation factors) | Central dogma of molecular biology |
| DNA Templates | Provide genetic instructions for specific proteins (fluorescent proteins, enzymes) | Genetic information flow |
| Toehold Switch RNA Sensors | Detect specific trigger RNA sequences and activate protein production | Biosensing, genetic circuits |
| Substrate Molecules | Raw materials for enzymatic reactions (e.g., isoamyl alcohol for banana scent) | Enzyme kinetics, metabolism |
| Hydrogel-Forming Proteins | Self-assemble into solid materials when activated | Biomaterials, protein engineering |
BioBits Explorer represents more than just a set of classroom activities—it embodies a shift toward making cutting-edge science accessible to all students, regardless of their school's resources.
The team continues to refine the kits and aims to create an open-source online database where teachers and students can share results and ideas for modifying the experiments 1 .
As the technology advances, the potential applications continue to expand. In fact, BioBits kits are scheduled to reach the International Space Station, where astronauts will conduct student-designed experiments in microgravity 8 .
Perhaps most importantly, BioBits Explorer inspires the next generation of scientists. By making biology tangible and engaging, BioBits Explorer promises to transform not just science education, but potentially the future of scientific innovation itself.
"My hope is that they will inspire more kids to consider a career in STEM and, more generally, give all students a basic understanding of how biology works."
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