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How to be a Mad Biologist - a list by jooxi
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About this list:
Mad scientists are cool and all, but no one ever says what field they specialize in. I mean, physics is gonna require some type of atom smasher, so that's out. You can make gold with chemistry, but there's no cool props - out. That leaves Biology. Use the tools and tips below to make your very own Frankenstein! Or something. Just scare people, ok?
Qualifications:
Currently breeding rainbow laser equipped unicorns.
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GloFish - Glowing Zebra Fish
First to recommend
Description
Bring a little mad scientist to your fish bowl. A spliced fluorescent jellyfish gene is inserted into these little fishies, making them actually glow in the dark! Available in neon red, orange or green, No sunlight or batteries required to glow :).
Updated May 6, 2009
Intermediate Dissecting Set
First to recommend
Description
Everything you need to begin dissecting in style (except a subject. Preferably dead. We may be mad but jail isn't that comfy, and vivisection is frowned upon).
The kit provides all the necessaries:
- Scalpel - with solid, stainless steel handle and included replaceable blade
- Scissors - Perfect for straight or long cutting, with both blunt and sharp sides
- Tweezers - for peeling away bits and pieces
-Metal Probe - Solid stainless steel probe for finding and highlighting what you need
It also comes with 1 straight and bent plastic probes, a ruler, a couple of pins so you can landmark areas of interest, and an eye-dropper, for reasons unbeknown.
$16 for the kit in blue plastic case, and for $18 you can get it in a nice leather wrap. You know, so you can carry it around with you.
Mad Biologist use:
Seriously? I need to give examples? Use your imagination! You're MAD!
Updated Aug 3, 2009
3B Scientific - Human Skull with Numbered details
First to recommend
Description
Everyone thinks skulls are cool on their bracelets or belts or hoodies, but a real one seems to turn people off. Well, no matter, I'm gonna recommend one anyway.
I turn to 3B Scientific , makers of the highest quality anatomical models, for another fun conversation starter for your home. Keep it on your coffee table, or better yet, in your closet.
This numbered skull is the perfect choice for basic to pretty advanced learning. It's cast from a real, human skull, so all the little details (foramen, styluses, etc) are there. Better yet, all the points of interest are hand-numbered, and it comes with an answer-key to each digit. It's high quality plastic, the jaw articulates, the sutures are highlighted in yellow, and the cranium opens for further study and for figuring out what nerves go where.
NON LEARNING USES:
-If you're going to put on an amateur Shakespeare presentation, you're practically duty bound to choose Hamlet. One of the by-laws there is you have to use a skull. Put on as serious a face as you can, stare intently at the skull, then flourish a bit with some extremely long and discomfiting dramatic pauses.
-Halloween decoration. You can also stuff the insides with candy and use it as your trick-or-treat bowl.
- See that latch on the side? Open up the skull, pour in some Jello (pink or green, preferably) and refrigerate.
$100. If you'd like the stylish élan of having a human skull in your home but don't want to spend so much, consider a.) grave-robbing or b.) buying their cheaper, 'budget' models, which go for as low as $23 or so.
Mad Biologist use:
Actually, the Halloween candy bowl idea works pretty well. Just make sure to use it ALL year round. And tell people it's real.
Updated Aug 5, 2009
This is:
Carolina Biological - Sheep Brains
First to recommend
Description
I said I wouldn't post these anymore, I know, but fellow ThisNext user ion_dog had an idea too good to pass up. These are real, preserved sheep brains. They don't smell and there's no blood or guts or anything. Just brains.
Perfect for distracting zombies - just throw one in their direction and they'll be all over it. If you manage to tame a zombie and keep him as a pet, you'll need to order these in the 'pail' option to ensure that your cuddly, cerebellum-devouring snuggly puff doesn't go hungry.
Mad Biologist use:
Every mad biologist needs buckets full of organs around the house. Keep some in the fridge in Tupperware containers marked 'Leftovers'. (via ion_dog)
Updated Aug 3, 2009
3b Scientific - Skeleton Stan
First to recommend
Description
You don't have to look away! I promise, no more organs or stuff. But I have an idea for a list, :D which is why I'm posting this.
3B Scientific is one of those top-quality German brands, you know, where everything is made to the most exacting standards (I imagine an assembly line with caliper armed workers, and the running joke is making fun of the guy who was .0001 mm off on a model, that one time, when he heard that the wall fell). They make a wide variety of anatomy models, demonstration devices and classroom teaching aids.
Skeleton Stan is one of their better skeletons (and yes, he's your man). The bones are made from a cast of a real guy's bones (ok, so it's a little gory) and thus are extremely detailed, showing all the little nooks and crannies cheaper models miss. The bone weight is also roughly equivalent to the real thing. Plus, he's of human height (about 5"6') and comes on a stand. Other great features:
- Articulating Jaw, so you can do the 'snap snap' thing. You also get to see all the teeth.
- Open cranial cavity - Lift the latches and you can peer into the skull for further, detailed study of this ridiculously complicated piece of bone, or just to make a jello brain mold in.
- All joints are replicated with metal hardware; pivot, ball and socket, etc. The bones can be separated with some screwdrivers and stuff.
Perfect for studying any bone, seeing what you broke, or quizzing your doc on the correct order of the tarsals .
Don't worry! I've also thought of 3 alternate, non-learning related uses:
1. Dress him up! Put on a sassy scarf, a nice beret, sunglasses, whatever!
2. Keep him in your closet, and if anyone ever mentions the phrase, "Skeletons in the closet", say "I've got one...it's a biggie." Then wheel him out.
3. If you're about the same height or width, he can make an, um, unusual valet. Drape your coat or jacket over his shoulders, hang your hat on his head, and loop your tie around his neck. You can even store your shoes on his feet (I have NO idea what size). All your stuff in one place, ready to go!
Price: Around $220, but I've seen it as low as $150.
If you don't need all the details and hinges, consider the Bucky or Bart models, which are $150 and $99 respectively.
Mad Biologist use:
Required home decor item. Also, in building your Über Being, you may want to have one of the 'old' models to look back at for refrence.
Bonus: (Point to Skeleton) - "Carlton wasn't the brightest or fastest lab assistant, but the accident did place him in a much more useful role, don't you think?"
Updated Aug 14, 2009
Carolina Biological - Preserved Pig Heart
First to recommend
Description
Man, I love Carolina Biological. Purveyor of classroom "products" for all ages and levels, Carolina specializes in specimens. Living stuff. Preserved dead stuff. Skeletons. Organs by the bucketful (really!)
This is a preserved pig heart, which is about the same size as a human one. Carolina uses a proprietary solution that has virtually no formaldehyde odor (and actually does not contain this unhealthy toxin). Really, they're odorless and bloodless, so they're way less disgusting than you'd imagine.
But onto the fun! I mean, sure, you can STUDY it if you want, and just marvel at the complex and fragile bags of meat we all are (have you ever seen a heart valve?). But here are some more interesting ideas:
- When someone say 'eat their heart' out, pull this out and ask them to fulfill their statement.
-Did someone 'break your heart'? Break this one for revenge, or at least give the ex (And trust me, they'll stay your ex) a demonstration of what they've done to you, in full, flesh colored gore glory.
- Show someone you love them with all your heart. Or at least something's heart. A real one.
- Send a box with lipstick smackers on the carton, and the heart inside. Or sign your letters with kisses and enclose the heart to complete the deal.
- For a great prank sure to win you friends and lovers, order 1 heart and have it delivered (in an innocuous little box) to your 'friend' (i.e. hated coworker).
There are TONS of cool stuff you can order from them (cow eyes, anyone?) but I think I'm gonna stop posting these as I'm gonna get on the FBI's watch-list for 'potential serial killers'.
Mad Biologist use:
Try to get one to beat again.
Updated Aug 3, 2009
Bacteria Growth Kit
First to recommend
Description
Ok, yes, thinkgeek.com is selling a bacterial growth kit as well. But this one's better. See, besides the petri dishes and growing material (nutrient broth) this kit also has 5 sterile swabs, iodine and alcohol. The swabs are great 'cause you can swab anything (including you) with safety and know that whatever grows on the plate was what you sampled - not already on the swab.
Ok, so I'm a stickler for good technique. Sue me. Anyway it's also got more detailed instructions (including ideas for science fairs) and the alcohol and iodine let you test antibacterial resistance. It's also got disposable 'BioHazard' bags to throw the dishes out, or just to store your lunch in.
I've got a boatload of weird science things to post...this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Mad Biologist Use: Try growing bacteria with souls, or at least vocal cords. Then when you Lyslol them you'll feel bad.
Or make them feel love. Seriously, bacteria are so promiscuous, you could start a soap opera on the results.
Updated Aug 5, 2009
Anatomically Correct Bone Socks
3 people recommended this item
Description
Ok, I missed these when they came out. I'm behind the trend train. I admit it. (actually, I'm not sure these were ever a trend)
Anyway, I saw these at the Bodies Exhibit store. Interesting! The bones are all correct and even labeled. I think on the right person they can be kinda cute in a weird way :)
Oh, don't mix up the right and the left, you'll screw it all up!
Updated Jun 25, 2009
Rapid Interpretation of EKG's - Sixth Edition
First to recommend
Description
You'd be surprised how ridiculously simple and interesting this book is. It starts off assuming you know nothing. It then proceeds to explain what the heart is, how it works, what an EKG is, how to read EKG's and what they mean.
Simple yet well balanced graphics inform with ease. There are also many real world EKG's displayed, from normal hearts to abnormal conditions. You do not need any previous science education to understand this book, yet it's so helpful it's used by medical students and residents. Check a look at the sample page picture here to see how simple it is.
Obviously this is a kind of narrow subject but I (not a doctor) found it very interesting. Anyone in the health sciences or just curious about EKG's and the heart will learn a lot from this enjoyable book.
Read your own stress test! (Actually, leave it to the professionals, but you could with this book).
Mad Biologist use:
You'll find this skill necessary when animating your Frankensteins.
Updated Aug 3, 2009
This is:
Biology: A Textbook
First to recommend
Description
I wouldn't normally recommend an academic textbook. But when a book is this well presented, I can't pass it up. Biology is the study of life, and how we (and our animal friends) work is simply fascinating. This book gets an A+ from me for its easy, non-technical language and wonderfully informative illustrations. The included CD and website provide incredible animations that really let you see how things work. This is one textbook I'm going to keep.
Mad Biologist use: Before you can create life (freakish though it may be), you must understand it.
Also, what the heck? Flora or Fauna? Sadly one must know these terms before becoming a true Mad Biologist. It's kinda like 'Wax on, Wax off' for the mad scientist.
Updated Aug 3, 2009
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