{"product_id":"kit-blob-decouverte","title":"Blob Discovery Kit","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe kit for conducting a real project.\u003c\/strong\u003e Nine Petri dishes, enough to start several cultures in parallel and subculture to your heart's content — and \u003cstrong\u003efour experiments\u003c\/strong\u003e, including two that come with their own \u003cstrong\u003esetup\u003c\/strong\u003e inside the box. You're no longer just watching the blob: you're asking it questions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat's in the box\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003e×2 dormant sclerotia\u003c\/strong\u003e of the strain of your choice — 1 extra, just in case\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003e×9 sterile Petri dishes\u003c\/strong\u003e: 4 × 60 mm (waking up and subculturing) · 5 × 90 mm (the experiments)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003e×6 doses of laboratory-grade agar\u003c\/strong\u003e — 1 dose = 2 × 90 mm dishes (or 3 × 60 mm dishes), to be diluted in 55 mL of boiling water and poured to a 4 mm depth\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e×20 g organic rolled oats\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003e×1 U-trap\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003e×2 vials of dye\u003c\/strong\u003e — \u003cstrong\u003e1 blue (E133)\u003c\/strong\u003e + \u003cstrong\u003e1 red (E122)\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003e×8 precision tools\u003c\/strong\u003e: precision tweezers, standard spatula, wide spatula, pipette (for dosing the dye), and \u003cstrong\u003e×4 cookie cutters Ø 1.8 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e — one per experiment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003e×4 filter papers Ø 90 mm\u003c\/strong\u003e — for re-sclerotizing your blob when you want to put it on pause\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003e×5 printed protocol sheets\u003c\/strong\u003e — keeping it alive · \u003cstrong\u003echoice\u003c\/strong\u003e · \u003cstrong\u003ethe U-trap\u003c\/strong\u003e · \u003cstrong\u003ecolored diffusion\u003c\/strong\u003e · \u003cstrong\u003ethe optimal network\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eYour four included experiments\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e1. The choice\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo foods, same distance: which one does the blob reach first? The sheet tells you what to grab from your kitchen and how to place the two doses so the comparison is fair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e2. The U-trap\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFood is placed behind a U-shaped obstacle. The blob leaves a chemical trail in its path, which helps it avoid going over the same spot twice — and exit the trap. \u003cem\u003eThe setup is in the box.\u003c\/em\u003e Smith-Ferguson, J., Reid, C.R., Latty, T., Beekman, M. (2017), \u003cem\u003eJournal of Physics D\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e3. Colored diffusion\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA micro-drop of dye, \u003cstrong\u003eblue on one side, red on the other\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the blob's network of veins becomes visible: you can see the cytoplasm moving back and forth inside, the two colors crossing and sometimes meeting in the same vein. This is the most spectacular experiment to photograph. \u003cem\u003eBoth vials are in the box.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e4. The optimal network\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral oat flakes placed in a pattern (triangle, star...) on the agar. The blob connects the sources through an \u003cstrong\u003eefficient network\u003c\/strong\u003e — not the shortest one possible, but a compromise between total length and robustness. This is the principle that made \u003cem\u003ePhysarum\u003c\/em\u003e famous. Nakagaki, T., Iima, M. et al. (2007), \u003cem\u003eProceedings of the Royal Society B\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd if you want the full experience: the \u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/products\/kit-blob-lab\"\u003eBlob Lab Kit\u003c\/a\u003e goes up to \u003cstrong\u003e8 experiments\u003c\/strong\u003e and adds \u003cstrong\u003ethe labyrinth\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ethe strain race\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003ethe Tokyo network\u003c\/strong\u003e — with free shipping within France.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy nine dishes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe count isn't arbitrary: \u003cstrong\u003e4 × 60 mm dishes\u003c\/strong\u003e for waking it up and subculturing — the essential task that keeps a blob alive — and \u003cstrong\u003e5 × 90 mm dishes\u003c\/strong\u003e for the experiments: one per trial, plus \u003cstrong\u003eone extra\u003c\/strong\u003e in case one doesn't work out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd with your \u003cstrong\u003e6 doses of agar\u003c\/strong\u003e, you can re-pour everything a second time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChoose your blob strain\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eMajor Tom\u003c\/strong\u003e — Our star strain: the \u003cem\u003ePhysarum polycephalum\u003c\/em\u003e sent to the International Space Station by CNES with Thomas Pesquet (2021). Bright yellow, vigorous network. Perfect for beginners.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eAustralian Physarum polycephalum\u003c\/strong\u003e — An isolate of the same species, from the other hemisphere. Just as fascinating.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSame price, your choice\u003c\/strong\u003e — the strain does not change the cost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho is this kit for?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eChildren aged 7+\u003c\/strong\u003e who want to conduct experiments, not just watch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eFamilies\u003c\/strong\u003e who want a project to work on together over several weeks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eCurious adults\u003c\/strong\u003e who devour science popularization channels\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eTeachers\u003c\/strong\u003e who want to test four protocols before bringing them to a class\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eScience content creators\u003c\/strong\u003e — colored diffusion is the most photogenic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOur guarantees\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e✓ \u003cstrong\u003e100% wake-up guaranteed\u003c\/strong\u003e — if nothing happens after 7 days using the protocol, we will send you a replacement sclerotium for free.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e✓ \u003cstrong\u003eShipment within 24 business hours\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e✓ \u003cstrong\u003eCultivated in France\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e✓ \u003cstrong\u003e14-day return policy\u003c\/strong\u003e in accordance with our Terms and Conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e✓ \u003cstrong\u003eSafe\u003c\/strong\u003e — \u003cem\u003ePhysarum polycephalum\u003c\/em\u003e is not associated with any human infection in scientific literature, and is not on any European regulatory list of hazardous biological agents. No allergens or toxicity known to date.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e✓ \u003cstrong\u003eOne extra 90 mm dish\u003c\/strong\u003e — to redo an experiment that didn't go as planned\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's the difference compared to the other kits?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEverything is counted in \u003cstrong\u003eexperiments\u003c\/strong\u003e: the \u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/products\/kit-blob-solo\"\u003eSolo\u003c\/a\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e0\u003c\/strong\u003e (2 dishes) · the \u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/products\/kit-blob-classique\"\u003eClassic\u003c\/a\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e2\u003c\/strong\u003e (4 dishes, dyes) · the Discovery Blob Kit \u003cstrong\u003e4\u003c\/strong\u003e (9 dishes, + U-trap and optimal network) · the \u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/products\/kit-blob-lab\"\u003eLab\u003c\/a\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e8\u003c\/strong\u003e (19 dishes, + labyrinth, strain race, and Tokyo network, free shipping within France).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat if my blob doesn't wake up?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit contains \u003cstrong\u003ean extra sclerotium\u003c\/strong\u003e, specifically for this purpose. If both fail, we will send you a replacement sclerotium for \u003cstrong\u003efree\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/blogs\/actualites\/mon-blob-ne-se-reveille-pas-que-faire\"\u003eComplete troubleshooting guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrom what age can you adopt a blob?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom 7 years old\u003c\/strong\u003e with an adult, \u003cstrong\u003e10 years old\u003c\/strong\u003e independently. No sharp objects in the kit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAre the dyes dangerous?\u003c\/h3\u003e\np\u0026gt;No. They are \u003cstrong\u003elaboratory-grade dyes\u003c\/strong\u003e — a \u003cstrong\u003eblue E133\u003c\/strong\u003e and a \u003cstrong\u003ered E122\u003c\/strong\u003e — used as \u003cstrong\u003evisual markers\u003c\/strong\u003e to trace the blob's cytoplasmic flow. ⚠️ \u003cstrong\u003eThey are not intended for consumption\u003c\/strong\u003e: you place a micro-drop on the blob for the experiment, not on food. Keep out of reach of very young children; washable with water.\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I schedule delivery for a specific date?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, email us at \u003ca href=\"mailto:hello@blobfarm.com\"\u003ehello@blobfarm.com\u003c\/a\u003e specifying the desired date.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eTo go further\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/blogs\/actualites\/comment-reveiller-sclerote-blob-48h\"\u003eHow to wake up a sclerotium in 48h, step by step\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/products\/kit-blob-lab\"\u003eBlob Lab Kit\u003c\/a\u003e — the 8 experiments, the labyrinth, the strain race, and the Tokyo network\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/blogs\/actualites\/blob-10-faits-fascinants\"\u003e10 fascinating facts about the blob\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe kit for conducting a real project.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BlobFarm","offers":[{"title":"Major Tom","offer_id":57736722055516,"sku":"BLOB-DEC-MT","price":45.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"Australian","offer_id":57736722121052,"sku":"BLOB-DEC-AUS","price":45.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/6253\/7564\/files\/800X800_3f3bf044-80eb-42bf-978d-1b46dd3b8507.png?v=1790257210","url":"https:\/\/blobfarm.com\/en-eu\/products\/kit-blob-decouverte","provider":"BlobFarm","version":"1.0","type":"link"}