Advanced scientific instruments disguised as toys
Described by one enthusiastic fan as "the coolest citizen science project I've ever seen", the demonpore 64 will advance science with games that range from classic arcade-style fun to puzzle, strategy, and role-playing formats. The data collected will enable innovation and discovery across many disciplines, including astrobiology, aging research, genomics, carbon capture, molecular gastronomy, veterinary science, agriculture, neurobiology, synthetic biology, and drug development.
Some examples of the molecular games we’ll play together with the demonpore 64:
Dragon Tyrant Must Die!™: the game that represents our epic quest to end aging, named in homage to Nick Bostrom's classic Fable of the Dragon Tyrant. Players will begin with method development for detecting and characterizing molecular and cellular hallmarks of aging.
Molecules of Mars™: the molecular game of astrobiology, where players will study nanopore sensing with (e.g.) Martian regolith stimulants, novel biochemistries, and cyanobacteria.
2021: A SARS Odyssey: Players will use only non-toxic, non-biological molecularly defined surrogates that model the differences between related viruses, and the algorithms developed by the network will enable FDA-approved solid-state viral diagnostics in our 2nd generation instruments.
Poop of the Gods™: Explore the sacred stinky! Yes, players will put their own (filtered) poop into the reservoirs and study nanopore translocation signals from cells and molecules in fimo, with relevance to virtually every aspect of biomedicine.
For more info check out https://wefunder.com/demonpore
3 comments
[ 3.3 ms ] story [ 16.3 ms ] threadDo you have a prototype? Do you have at least on of the scenarios™ already implemented?
We have prototype(s)—the main electronic part is set-in-stone, at least for the alpha launch, but some other things will change—and we've got these things in various places in various "boxes", including the 80s gaming console style you see on the site—but haven't settled on what we're shipping this summer—won't require extensive tooling or setup for this round, that'll be a beta launch thing. Right now, the basic requirement is a tidy box with shielding.
By scenarios, you mean the games listed above? No, the only game we've implemented is basically the complexity equivalent of "pong" and just something we've done for ourselves that's only fun because we love nanopores so much. The science behind the games is going to be the most important part early on, with the games structured more or less like game shows than like standalone pieces of software. These games will be played a hosted, social events with the alpha launch. That's the only way we can do it in time and with available, affordable mindpower.
thanks for noticing, and gently mocking, our overuse of ™. There's a very on-brand reason for it.
If you're an angel who might be convinced to put in something significant, reach out and let me talk you into it. Separate from that, do so as well if you just think it's worth knowing a lot more about, we're not yet overwhelmed with attention and I can respond personally to most of what comes to me.
HN is full of hidden "features". Ask post are not clicky, but you probably will never find that in the docs. If it looks interesting enough, I try to add a clicky link.
> our overuse of ™. There's a very on-brand reason for it.
Sorry for that. It's fine to post your projects here even if they are commercial, but hashtags and tm look weird here.
> By scenarios, you mean the games listed above?
Yes. I think that a video showing a gameplay of one game or a similar simplified version will get you much more traction here.