Abstract
We review remote (or "cloud") lab technologies for life-science experimentation. Compared to other remote labs such as for physics, a particular challenge arises from the variability and stability of biological materials. We describe and compare four biology cloud labs that demonstrate different user interaction modes, i.e., real-time and turn-based interactive, programmed, and augmented batch, respectively, and furthermore regard their underlying hard and software architecture, biological content ("bio-ware") (i.e., microswimmer phototaxis, slime mold chemotaxis, bacterial growth under antibiotics, RNA folding), and various other features such as the time required for one experiment or scalability to large user numbers. While we generally focus on educational use cases, research applications are included as well. General design rules for biology cloud experimentation labs are derived; open questions regarding future technology and opportunities for wide deployment are discussed. We hope that this review enables stakeholders from the life sciences, engineering, and education to join this relevant and exciting field.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Cyber-Physical Laboratories in Engineering and Science Education |
| Publisher | Springer International Publishing |
| Pages | 271-304 |
| Number of pages | 34 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9783319769356 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9783319769349 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 26 2018 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Biology
- Biotic processing unit (BPU)
- Cloud lab
- Education
- Life sciences
- Online experimentation
- Remote experimentation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Social Sciences