GMU:DIY Bio: doing things with biology/Nezar Abualhalaweh

Growing Physarum Polycephalum

Medium: 100ml water 3g agar Cooked Directly in a flask on the stove until boiling point, while consistently mixing. The flask and the large petri dish were both sterilized in the UV chamber for approx. 20 minutes.

Sample: The Physarum Polycephalum was taken from healthy dried samples, on a paper and a paper towel.

Food source: Dried Oats (not sterilized)

Conditions: 20 degrees temperature enough moisture (introduced in the initial cultivation) kept in a dark environment

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  Jan.8.2019

Follow-up on the above Physarum Polycephalum sample in the large Petri dish

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  Jan.11.2019

Results: The above sample was unsuccessful. Potential causes: Clear contamination which might be the result of using unsterile oats, and paper/paper towel samples.

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Growing Physarum Polycephalum from Living Samples

Medium: 200ml water ~2g agar The medium was prepared using a magnetic stirrer, in the lab.

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  Magnetic Stirrer

The flask and the large petri dish were both sterilized in the UV chamber for approx. 20 minutes.

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  Working Conditions

Sample: The Physarum Polycephalum was taken from healthy living samples and transported directly to the Petri dishes

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  Physarum Polycephalum Sample

Food source: Dried Oats (Sterile) The dried Oats were cooked in the Microwave for ~35 seconds.

Conditions: 20 degrees temperature Kept in a warm/dark environment.

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  P.P Sample 1 (11.Jan)

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  P.P Sample 2 (11.Jan)

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  P.P Sample 3 (11.Jan)

12.Jan - Follow up on the samples above

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  P.P Sample 1 (12.Jan)

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  P.P Sample 2 (12.Jan)

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  P.P Sample 3 (12.Jan)

Results: The above samples were successful, will require follow-up and food change under sterile conditions in the lab.