{"product_id":"kit-blob-lab","title":"Blob Lab Kit","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🏆 Our best-seller.\u003c\/strong\u003e The most complete — and most supported — set. The Blob Lab Kit includes \u003cstrong\u003e2 strains\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eeight experiments\u003c\/strong\u003e, including three exclusives: \u003cstrong\u003ethe maze\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ethe strain race\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003ethe Tokyo network\u003c\/strong\u003e. Each comes with a step-by-step guide. \u003cstrong\u003eFree delivery within France.\u003c\/strong\u003e\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×4 dormant sclerotia\u003c\/strong\u003e — \u003cstrong\u003e2 Major Tom + 2 Australian\u003c\/strong\u003e, to observe and compare both strains in parallel, and to pit them against each other in the race\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003e×19 sterile Petri dishes\u003c\/strong\u003e, one size for every use: \u003cstrong\u003e8 × 60 mm\u003c\/strong\u003e (revival and subculturing) · \u003cstrong\u003e10 × 90 mm\u003c\/strong\u003e (the seven common experiments, with 3 spares) · \u003cstrong\u003e1 × 120 mm square\u003c\/strong\u003e (the Tokyo network)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003e×15 doses of laboratory-grade agar\u003c\/strong\u003e — 1 dose = 2 x 90 mm dishes (or 3 x 60 mm dishes), to be diluted in 55 mL of boiling water and poured to a depth of 4 mm. That's more than double what your 19 dishes require.\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e×30 g organic rolled oats\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003e×1 maze\u003c\/strong\u003e — \u003cem\u003eexclusive to the Lab\u003c\/em\u003e\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003e×1 Tokyo experiment module\u003c\/strong\u003e — \u003cem\u003eexclusive to the Lab\u003c\/em\u003e\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003e×1 strain race maze\u003c\/strong\u003e — \u003cem\u003eexclusive to the Lab\u003c\/em\u003e\n\n\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 bottles of food coloring\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×11 precision tools\u003c\/strong\u003e: precision tweezers, small spatula, large spatula, pipette (for dosing the coloring), and \u003cstrong\u003e×7 cookie cutters Ø 1.8 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003e×8 filter papers Ø 90 mm\u003c\/strong\u003e — to re-sclerotize your blobs when you want to put them on pause\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003e×1 set of printed protocol cards\u003c\/strong\u003e — revival, maintenance, and the 8 experiments step-by-step\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003e×1 sticker sheet\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eYour eight included experiments\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e1. The Choice\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo food sources, same distance: which one does the blob reach first? The simplest experiment to start, and the first time you see your blob \u003cem\u003echoose\u003c\/em\u003e, you won't forget it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e2. The U-trap\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe food is placed behind a U-shaped obstacle. The blob leaves a chemical trail as it moves, which helps it avoid passing through the same place twice — and to find its way out of the trap. 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 \u003cstrong\u003eblue coloring on one side, red on the other\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the cytoplasmic flow becomes visible in the veins — the two colors cross and sometimes meet in the same vein. The most spectacular experiment to photograph.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e4. The Optimal Network\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral oat flakes placed in a pattern (triangle, star, etc.) on the agar. The blob connects the sources via an \u003cstrong\u003eefficient network\u003c\/strong\u003e — not the shortest 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\u003ch3\u003e5. The Bridge\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow does the blob react if its food is separated by a gap?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e6. The Maze \u003cem\u003e— exclusive to the Lab\u003c\/em\u003e\n\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe founding experiment: placed in a labyrinth with food at both ends, the blob retracts from dead ends and retains only an efficient path. Nakagaki, T., Yamada, H., Tóth, Á. (2000), \u003cem\u003eNature\u003c\/em\u003e, 407, 470.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e7. The Strain Race \u003cem\u003e— exclusive to the Lab\u003c\/em\u003e\n\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo entrances, the same maze, two strains starting at the same time: a Major Tom and an Australian. Each seeks its own route to the center — the first to arrive wins the race. You observe two different exploration strategies live on the same agar. Adapted from the Nakagaki maze protocol (\u003cem\u003eNature\u003c\/em\u003e, 2000), with 2 entrances instead of 1.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e8. The Tokyo Network \u003cem\u003e— exclusive to the Lab\u003c\/em\u003e\n\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOat flakes arranged like the cities around Tokyo. In 26 hours, the blob builds a network with an efficiency \u003cstrong\u003ecomparable\u003c\/strong\u003e to the region's actual rail network. Tero, A. et al. (2010), \u003cem\u003eScience\u003c\/em\u003e, 327(5964), 439-442.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy 19 dishes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe count is not arbitrary — it's \u003cstrong\u003eone format per use\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003e8 × 60 mm\u003c\/strong\u003e — revival and subculturing, the action that keeps a blob alive throughout the journey\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003e10 × 90 mm\u003c\/strong\u003e — the \u003cstrong\u003eseven common experiments\u003c\/strong\u003e (choice, U-trap, colored diffusion, optimal network, bridge, maze, and strain race), plus \u003cstrong\u003ethree spares\u003c\/strong\u003e in case one doesn't work out\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003e1 × 120 mm square\u003c\/strong\u003e — the Tokyo network, which requires a square support\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd with your \u003cstrong\u003e15 doses of agar\u003c\/strong\u003e, you have \u003cstrong\u003emore than double\u003c\/strong\u003e what these 19 dishes require: enough to repour everything.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eThe 2 strains included in this kit\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo choice to make\u003c\/strong\u003e — the Lab includes both, with \u003cstrong\u003etwo sclerotia of each\u003c\/strong\u003e. Enough to revive them in parallel, compare them, and above all \u003cstrong\u003epit them against each other in the strain race\u003c\/strong\u003e — experiment 7, which doesn't exist in any other BlobFarm kit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eMajor Tom\u003c\/strong\u003e — Our hero strain: the \u003cem\u003ePhysarum polycephalum\u003c\/em\u003e sent to the International Space Station by CNES with Thomas Pesquet (2021). Bright yellow, vigorous network.\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\n\u003ch2\u003eWho is this kit for?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIt's the most complete kit, and it's also the most guided\u003c\/strong\u003e — every experiment has its own step-by-step card. It's not reserved for experts: it's the one where you are the most supported.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eChildren aged 7 and up\u003c\/strong\u003e accompanied by an adult, \u003cstrong\u003e10 and up\u003c\/strong\u003e independently\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eFamilies\u003c\/strong\u003e who want a real project to carry out together over several weeks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eTeachers\u003c\/strong\u003e and extracurricular activity leaders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eCurious minds\u003c\/strong\u003e who want to reproduce experiments published in \u003cem\u003eNature\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eScience\u003c\/em\u003e\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eScience content creators\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\n\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% revival 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\u003eShipping 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 cooling-off period\u003c\/strong\u003e according to our T\u0026amp;Cs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e✓ \u003cstrong\u003eHarmless\u003c\/strong\u003e — \u003cem\u003ePhysarum polycephalum\u003c\/em\u003e is not associated with any human infection in scientific literature and does not appear on any European regulatory list of biological risk agents. No allergens or toxicity are known to date.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e✓ \u003cstrong\u003eFree delivery within France\u003c\/strong\u003e — the only kit that meets the threshold on its own\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is the difference from 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 \u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/products\/kit-blob-decouverte\"\u003eDiscovery\u003c\/a\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e4\u003c\/strong\u003e (9 dishes, + U-trap and optimal network) · the Blob Lab Kit \u003cstrong\u003e8\u003c\/strong\u003e (19 dishes, 4 sclerotia of 2 strains, maze, strain race, and Tokyo network, free delivery within France).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat if my blob doesn't wake up?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit contains \u003cstrong\u003e4 sclerotia (2 Major Tom + 2 Australian)\u003c\/strong\u003e, specifically so you don't miss your revival. If all four 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\u003eAt what age can you adopt a blob?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom age 7\u003c\/strong\u003e accompanied by an adult, \u003cstrong\u003e10\u003c\/strong\u003e independently. No sharp objects in the kit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAre the dyes dangerous?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. 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 as part of the experiment, not on the food. Keep out of reach of very young children; washable with water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo the experiments really work?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFour of them use protocols published in peer-reviewed journals\u003c\/strong\u003e — the maze (Nakagaki, \u003cem\u003eNature\u003c\/em\u003e, 2000), the optimal network (Nakagaki, Iima et al., \u003cem\u003ePRSB\u003c\/em\u003e, 2007), the Tokyo network (Tero et al., \u003cem\u003eScience\u003c\/em\u003e, 2010), and the U-trap (Smith-Ferguson et al., 2017). The other four — choice, bridge, colored diffusion, and strain race — are observational experiments designed by BlobFarm based on documented behaviors of \u003cem\u003ePhysarum\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat if an experiment doesn't work?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit is designed for this: you have \u003cstrong\u003e3 x 90 mm dishes left\u003c\/strong\u003e after the seven 90 mm experiments, plus \u003cstrong\u003e2 extra 60 mm dishes\u003c\/strong\u003e for your subcultures. The cards include a troubleshooting section. If nothing works, write to \u003ca href=\"mailto:hello@blobfarm.com\"\u003ehello@blobfarm.com\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGoing further\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/blogs\/actualites\/comment-reveiller-sclerote-blob-48h\"\u003eHow to revive a blob sclerotium in 48h, step by step\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/products\/microscope-usb-pro-200\"\u003eUSB Microscope Pro 200×\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/collections\/experiences-sur-etagere\"\u003eShelf Experiments Collection\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe kit to do it all.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BlobFarm","offers":[{"title":"Major Tom + Australian","offer_id":57736722186588,"sku":"COFF-LAB-DUO","price":68.0,"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-lab","provider":"BlobFarm","version":"1.0","type":"link"}