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The two organisms used in this experiment were '''Badhamia''' and '''Physarum polycephalum'''. At the beginning, both looked very similar because they were yellowish, which made it difficult to visually separate them during observation. Because of this, I later used a red pigment on the food source of one culture to create a visible contrast. | The two organisms used in this experiment were '''Badhamia''' and '''Physarum polycephalum'''. At the beginning, both looked very similar because they were yellowish, which made it difficult to visually separate them during observation. Because of this, I later used a red pigment on the food source of one culture to create a visible contrast. | ||
My final goal was to create a | My final goal was to create a video showing the interaction between the two slime molds. I wanted the project to ask a simple question: | ||
'''Can two different living organisms share the same space?''' | '''Can two different living organisms share the same space?''' | ||
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[[File:Video 2026-07-05 03-18-55.mp4|thumb|Camera Setup | [[File:Video 2026-07-05 03-18-55.mp4|thumb|Camera Setup]] | ||
== Camera Setup and | == Camera Setup and Recording == | ||
To document the experiment, I used a fixed camera setup. | To document the experiment, I used a fixed camera setup. | ||
The camera was mounted above the Petri dish and under it a power source so that it could record for several hours without interruption. I configured the camera to take one photo every '''10 seconds'''. | The camera was mounted above the Petri dish and under it a power source so that it could record for several hours without interruption. I configured the camera to take one photo every '''10 seconds'''. | ||
This interval was chosen because it created enough frames for a smooth | This interval was chosen because it created enough frames for a smooth, while still keeping the number of images manageable. | ||
During the recording session, the camera captured thousands of photographs of the slime molds. | During the recording session, the camera captured thousands of photographs of the slime molds. | ||
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video.release() | video.release() | ||
print("Done:", OUTPUT) | print("Done:", OUTPUT) | ||
</syntaxhighlight>The final | </syntaxhighlight>The final video was created from the image sequence and exported as an MP4 file. After that, I edited the video further by adding an intro, title cards, music, and an ending message. | ||
== Artistic Concept == | == Artistic Concept == | ||
The original concept of the video was '''Home for Two'''. I wanted to present the two slime molds almost like two characters sharing one space: | The original concept of the video was '''Home for Two'''. I wanted to present the two slime molds almost like two characters sharing one space: | ||
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Because of this, the first experiment cannot answer the question I originally asked. The two slime molds did not grow strongly, and the concept of peaceful coexistence was biologically too simplified. Since both organisms use the same food source, their relationship is more likely to involve competition than harmony. | Because of this, the first experiment cannot answer the question I originally asked. The two slime molds did not grow strongly, and the concept of peaceful coexistence was biologically too simplified. Since both organisms use the same food source, their relationship is more likely to involve competition than harmony. | ||
I now see this project as an unfinished first attempt rather than a successful final experiment. Still, I learned how to prepare agar plates, maintain slime mold cultures, exchange biological material, use colored food as a visual marker, build a | I now see this project as an unfinished first attempt rather than a successful final experiment. Still, I learned how to prepare agar plates, maintain slime mold cultures, exchange biological material, use colored food as a visual marker, build a setup, and turn thousands of photos into a video using Python. | ||
= Second Experimental Attempt: A Follow-Up Slime Mold Study = | = Second Experimental Attempt: A Follow-Up Slime Mold Study = | ||
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After several days, the cultures were ready to be used again. | After several days, the cultures were ready to be used again. | ||
[[File:New petri dish getting ready.jpg|thumb|175x175px|slim mold]] | |||
== Preparing the Agar Plates == | == Preparing the Agar Plates == | ||
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== Preparing the Colored Food == | == Preparing the Colored Food == | ||
To make the growth easier to observe, I again prepared colored oat flakes. | To make the growth easier to observe, I again prepared colored oat flakes. | ||
[[File:Colored red food.jpg|thumb|151x151px]] | |||
I mixed the red pigment with water, | I mixed [[GMU:Diy biolab drivers license SoSe26/Daria Lukianchuk|the unknown red pigment]] with water, and oat flakes, and allowed them to absorb the color before using them as food for '''Physarum polycephalum'''. | ||
== Growing the New Culture == | == Growing the New Culture == | ||
A small piece of '''Physarum polycephalum''' was transferred onto a fresh Petri dish together with the colored oat flakes. The culture was left to grow for | [[File:Ph-w-red-food.jpg|thumb|157x157px]] | ||
A small piece of '''Physarum polycephalum''' was transferred onto a fresh Petri dish together with the colored oat flakes. The culture was left to grow for one day so that it became stronger before the final recording. | |||
== Preparing the Final Recording Setup == | == Preparing the Final Recording Setup == | ||
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Badhamia and '''Physarum polycephalum''' were placed on opposite sides of the Petri dish, with oat flakes positioned between them to encourage both organisms to grow toward the same area. | Badhamia and '''Physarum polycephalum''' were placed on opposite sides of the Petri dish, with oat flakes positioned between them to encourage both organisms to grow toward the same area. | ||
Unlike the first experiment, I removed the light source underneath the Petri dish after realizing that it caused noticeable flickering | Unlike the first experiment, I removed the light source underneath the Petri dish after realizing that it caused noticeable flickering. This resulted in much more stable lighting throughout the recording. | ||
== Overnight | == Overnight Recording == | ||
The camera was mounted above the Petri dish and connected to an external power source so it could record continuously throughout the night. | The camera was mounted above the Petri dish and connected to an external power source so it could record continuously throughout the night. | ||
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After transferring the photographs to my computer, I processed the images using the same Python workflow developed during the first experiment. | After transferring the photographs to my computer, I processed the images using the same Python workflow developed during the first experiment. | ||
The images were combined into a | The images were combined into a video, which was then edited by adding titles and music. | ||
== Observations == | == Observations == | ||