The Introduction to Dictyostelium and Other Social Amoeba Kit includes: Dictyostelium discoideum NC4 Plate Culture Dictyostelium discoideum V12M2 Plate Culture Escherichia coli B (nonmucoid on lactose peptone) 40 Sterile Petri Dishes Lactose Peptone Agar Agar (2%) Sussman's Medium Bottle (100 mL) Bonner's Salt Powdered Mix 10 Spreaders 30 Dropping Pipets 30 Sterile Disposable Inoculating Loops Autoclave Disposal bag Instructions

Advanced - For experienced high school and college classes; requires some technical skill.

Developed by Donna Bozzone, Saint Michael's College. Dictyostelium and related organisms have an unusual life cycle during which they exist as independently feeding amoeboid cells that can aggregate to form multicellular bodies. Students explore the life cycle and investigate factors that trigger the development of its different stages.

They can also design experiments to test how cells choose between developmental pathways, the behavior and biology of the multicellular stages, how different species of cellular slime molds interact, and many other questions. Includes teacher instructions and suggestions for further inquiry.