This Toolkit Lets Citizen Scientists Help Discover New Drugs
Katherine Pendrill — October 9, 2015 — Lifestyle
References: post-biotics & fastcoexist
Designer Vidhi Mehta is producing an innovative toolkit that lets citizen scientists help researchers discover new drugs. In recent years, scientists have become increasingly concerned about the issue of antibiotic resistance. This kid-friendly toolkit provides a way for ordinary citizens to help combat the threat of antibiotic resistance.
Mehta's toolkit is called 'Post/Biotics' and it is designed for ordinary citizens to help discover new drugs. The kit consists of a pop-up laboratory that can be used to test samples against non-pathogenic bacteria. If a material does have antimicrobial properties, it will instantly change color. Once a user has tested their sample, they can send the results to an online database. Researchers can then use the database to track potential antimicrobials. The kit can be used by anyone, including students who may be interested in learning about drug discovery.
The Post/Biotics kit provides a way for average citizens to support scientific research.
Mehta's toolkit is called 'Post/Biotics' and it is designed for ordinary citizens to help discover new drugs. The kit consists of a pop-up laboratory that can be used to test samples against non-pathogenic bacteria. If a material does have antimicrobial properties, it will instantly change color. Once a user has tested their sample, they can send the results to an online database. Researchers can then use the database to track potential antimicrobials. The kit can be used by anyone, including students who may be interested in learning about drug discovery.
The Post/Biotics kit provides a way for average citizens to support scientific research.
Trend Themes
1. Citizen Science Drug-discovery - Creating science toolkits for average citizens to support scientific research in drug discovery presents opportunities for democratizing drug discovery and for academic & scientific institutions to benefit from a wider range of opinions and perspectives.
2. Portable DIY Pop-up Labs - The creation of portable, DIY pop-up labs, such as the Post/Biotics kit, can revolutionize scientific research by allowing anyone to conduct experiments, anywhere, anytime.
3. Democratization of Antibiotic Development - Allowing non-expert citizens to discover new drugs presents opportunity for the democratization of antibiotic development and opens up more avenues for innovation and exploration in the pharmaceutical industry.
Industry Implications
1. Pharmaceuticals - This innovation presents an opportunity for the pharmaceutical industry to democratize drug discovery and leverage the opinions of a wider market segment while encouraging innovation and a more diverse range of perspectives.
2. Education - This innovation presents an opportunity for academic institutions to democratize access to drug discovery experiments, allowing students to participate in developing drugs to combat antibiotic resistance and empowering them to take charge of their own learning.
3. Consumer Products - Creating drug-discovery DIY kits that average citizens can use will provide opportunities for new companies to develop products that expand the potential for more people to improve their health and well-being.
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