Schedule Oct 14, 2024
Recreational Biology: Topological puzzles in cell biology
Manu Prakash, Stanford
Cite as: doi:10.26081/K61T5B

Recreational mathematics involves mathematical puzzles and games, often appealing to children and untrained adults, inspiring their further study of the subject. Can a similar analogy be drawn in biology? Without making any claims of usefulness, we will explore a wide range of puzzles and paradoxes from the living world: Can single cells be toroidal in nature? What would an animal from Flatland look like? Can cells “literally” talk to each other? Can single cells think? Can cells act as a mason and build out of rocks? Finally, we will discuss and share initiatives to democratize science and highlight the role of curiosity and observation in exploring the microscopic world.


To download: Right-click and choose "Save Link As..."