Week 13 — Frugal Science, Microbiome
This week explores frugal science approaches (low‑cost, accessible tools) and the microbiome, with an emphasis on resource‑aware experimental design.
- Info Lecture slides will be posted here after the class; recording will be linked when available. Recording: Zoom
- Info The Week 13 page currently lists “Add Note Here.” We’ll update this section with prompts and deliverables once the course site publishes them. Suggestion: Draft a resource‑aware protocol for a measurement or assay relevant to your final project (cost, accessibility, robustness).
- Info Recitation slides will be shared here after the class; recording will be updated once available. Recording: Zoom
- Tip This week is reserved for make‑up labs and final‑project execution. Use lab time to run missing protocols, validate constructs, collect final measurements, or perform imaging. Objective Allocate bench time to complete experiments needed for your final project milestone(s). Concepts You’ll Practice Resource‑aware experimental design (frugal science mindset) Measurement planning (microbiome & general wet‑lab workflows) Documentation and sample tracking Recommendations Bring a clear checklist of experiments, materials, and expected outcomes. Coordinate with instructors on space/equipment. Log instrument settings, reagents, and environmental conditions.
- Paperfuge & frugal science — Manu Prakash et al. (Nature Biomed Eng, 2017) Microbiome experimental design primer — Microbiome study design (Nat Rev Microbiol, 2018) Low‑cost field diagnostics overview — Ann. Rev. Biomed. Eng. (2021)